Interaction of iron status, inflammation, and iron regulatory genes.

<p>The response of inflammatory markers and iron regulatory genes was assessed in schistosomiasis infected and control wild-type and <i>Tfr2^−/−</i> mice 6 weeks post infection date. Granuloma size was estimated by point-counting stereology on liver sections, and gene expression was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR from liver RNA. A. Comparison of the average granuloma area within wild-type and <i>Tfr2^−/−</i> mice shows no difference in response in infected animals. B and C. Hepatic inflammatory markers <i>Serum Amyloid-A</i> and <i>Orosomucoid</i> show a significant response to infection, but no difference in the levels of response between wild-type and <i>Tfr2^−/−</i> animals reflecting granuloma size. D and E. <i>Hamp 1</i> shows a trend and <i>Hamp 2</i> shows significant down-regulation in response infection. This pattern of regulation is consistent with the identified iron status of the animals and appears unaffected by the inflammatory response identified (*P<0.05 compared to respective control group; Error bars ± SEM).