Gastrin-deficient mice have disturbed hematopoiesis in response to iron deficiency

Abstract

Gastrins are peptide hormones important for gastric acid secretion and growth of the gastrointestinal mucosa. We have previously demonstrated that ferric ions bind to gastrins, that the gastrin-ferric ion complex interacts with the iron transport protein transferrin in vitro, and that circulating gastrin concentrations positively correlate with transferrin saturation in vivo. Here we report the effect of long-term dietary iron modification on gastrin-deficient (Gas-/-) and hypergastrinemic cholecystokinin receptor 2-deficient (Cck2r-/-) mice, both of which have reduced basal gastric acid secretion. Iron homeostasis in both strains appeared normal unless the animals were challenged by iron de..