铁代谢在维持生命活动中至关重要,机体铁代谢紊乱会导致贫血和人类遗传性血色病等诸多疾病,对人体健康造成危害。在铁代谢研究领域,小鼠模型具有人群及细胞模型所不具备的优势,可以最准确的表现相应基因及通路在铁代谢调控中的生理作用。利用基因敲除及转基因小鼠模型,许多铁代谢相关的基因及调控通路被发现,有助于深入了解铁稳态调控的分子机制。这些小鼠模型为治疗铁代谢紊乱相关疾病潜在药物的开发和评估提供了理想的平台。
Iron has an essential role in mammalian metabolism. Deregulation of iron homeostasis causes diseases characterized by iron overload (genetic hemochromatosis) or depletion (iron-deficiency anemia). Mouse models provide powerful tools for understanding iron metabolism. Investigation of spontaneous, engineered, and induced mutant mice with inherited iron disorders led to discoveries of novel genes and pathways involved in iron homeostasis regulation. Such studies provided insights into the molecular and cellular basis of iron regulation. Mouse models for hereditary hemochromatosis and anemia also serve as tools for the development and evaluation of potential therapeutic agents. This review summarizes the mouse models of iron metabolism including: absorption, transportation, and recycling.