IronLab

Iron has crucial functions in the human body as a part of hundreds of heme and non-heme molecules. However, it can have toxic effects. That requires a meticulous control of iron metabolism on both cellular and systemic level.

Our laboratory studies the systemic control of iron metabolism, mainly its key-regulator hepcidin, its regulation and involvement in diseases.

We investigate the pathophysiology of liver damage in iron overload, mainly the changes of expression of adhesion proteins (cadherins and neogenin).

The experimental methods include gene expression by real-time PCR and Western blot, ELISA, mass spectrometry. In some projects we collaborate with the Department of Nephrology.

 

Group members:

Ing. Jan Krijt, Ph.D.
Assoc. Prof. Martin Vokurka, M.D.
MDDr. Iuliia Gurieva (PGS)
RNDr. Jana Frýdlová, Ph.D.
RNDr. Petr Přikryl, Ph.D. (collaboration)

 
Grants:
GACR 2015-2016: Study of the signal pathways increasing iron absorption in activated erythropoiesis (J. Krijt)
GAUK 2015-2016: Interaction of signaling pathways regulating iron absorption during transfusional iron overload and administration of erythropoietin (I. Gurieva)

 
Collaboration:
- Laboratory of Tumour Resistence of the Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (dr. J. Truksa)
- Department of Nephrology of the 1st Medical Faculty and General University Hospital in Prague (prof. V. Tesař)
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA (Dr Xin Du)
 

Principle publications:

  • Frýdlová J., Rychtarčíková Z., Gurieva I., Vokurka M., Truksa J., Krijt J.: Effect of erythropoietin administration on proteins participating in iron homeostasis in Tmprss6-mutated mask mice. PLos One 2017, Oct. 26; 12(10): e0186844

  • Gurieva I., Frýdlová J., Rychtarčíková Z., Vokurka M., Truksa J., Krijt J.: Erythropoietin administration increases splenic erythroferrone protein content and liver TMPRSS6 protein content in rats. Blood Cells Mol Dia 2017, May; 64: 1-7

  • Frýdlová J., Přikryl P., Truksa J., Falke LL., Du X., Gurieva I., Vokurka M., Krijt J.: Effect of Erythropoietin, Iron Deficiency and Iron Overload on Liver Matriptase-2 (TMPRSS6) Protein Content in Mice and Rats. PLos One 2016, Feb. 4; 11(2): e0148540

  • Frýdlová J., Fujikura Y., Vokurka M., Nečas E., Krijt J.: Decreased hemojuvelin protein levels in mask mice lacking matriptase-2 dependent proteolytic activity. Physiol. Res. 2013 Apr 16. [Epub ahead of print]

  • Krijt J., Frýdlová J., Kukačková L., Fujikura Y., Přikryl P., Vokurka M., Nečas E.: Effect of iron overload and iron deficiency on liver hemojuvelin protein. PLos One 2012, 7(5): e 37391

  • Vokurka M., Krijt J.., Vávrová J., Nečas E: Hepcidin expression in the liver of mice with implanted tumor reacts to iron deficiency, inflammation and erythropoietin administration. Folia Biologica 2011, vol. 57: 248-254

  • Vokurka M, Lacinová Z, Křemen J, Kopecký P, Bláha J, Pelinková K, Haluzík M, Nečas E.: Hepcidin expression in adipose tissue increases during cardiac surgery. Physiol Res. 2010;59(3): 393-400

  • Krijt J., Fujikura Y, Šefc L, Vokurka M, Hlobeňová T, Nečas E: Hepcidin downregulation by repeated bleeding is not mediated by soluble hemojuvelin. Physiol. Res. 2010, vol. 59(1): 53-59

  • Krijt J., Niederkofler V., Salie R., Šefc L., Pelichovská T., Vokurka M., Nečas E.:Effect of phlebotomy on hepcidin expression in hemojuvelin-mutant mice. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2007, vol 39, 92-95

  • Krijt J., Vokurka M., Šefc L., Ďuricová D., Nečas E.: Effect of Lipopolysaccharide and Bleeding on the Expression of Intestinal Proteins Involved in Iron and Haem Transport. Folia Biologica, 2006, vol. 52, p. 1-5

  • Vokurka M., Krijt J., Šulc K., Nečas E.: Hepcidin mRNA levels in mouse liver respond to inhibition of erythropoiesis. Physiol. Res., 2006, vol. 55, p. 667-674

  • Krijt J., Vokurka M., Chang K.T., Nečas E.: Expression of Rgmc, the murine ortholog of hemojuvelin gene, is modulated by development and inflammation, but not by iron status or erythropoietin. Blood, 2004, vol. 104, p. 4308-4310

  • Krijt J., Čmejla R., Sýkora V., Vokurka M, Vyoral D, Nečas E: Different expression pattern of hepcidin genes in the liver and pancreas of C57BL/6N and DBA/2N mice. J Hepatol., 2004, vol. 40, p. 891-896

 

Czech