Andrews and Roy are intrigued by the interaction of HFE and hepcidin, because it suggests that HFE has an immunologic function as well as an iron-regulating function. "We don't yet understand the immunity connection," says Andrews, who also holds a doctorate in biology. "Many molecules important in iron metabolism are also involved in immune defense, or are related to molecules involved in immune defense. But we don't yet know why."

EMBL Scientists Martina Muckenthaler and Matthias Hentze collaborated closely with the Children's/Harvard team to identify this link.

"Our results clearly link HFE to the development of this type of anemia. More importantly, it seems that you can affect HFE function without disrupting the immune system itself," notes Muckenthaler. "This is the first time that a link has been made between HFE, inflammation and anemia - giving us a clear target to aim for a new treatment for anemia of chronic disease."

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the National Institutes of Health, and the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz prize funded the study.

Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults for more than 130 years. More than 500 scientists, including seven members of the National Academy of Sciences, nine members of the Institute of Medicine and 10 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children's research community. Children's is the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information about the hospital visit: www.childrenshospital.