Proposed influences on iron homeostasis during active and treated TB. (A) Inflammatory anemia during active Mtb infection: IL-6 induces high levels of hepcidin, overriding the hepcidin-suppressive signal mediated by erythroferrone (Erfe), which is produced by erythroblasts in response to Epo signaling. High hepcidin concentrations block iron absorption and prevent iron release from iron-recycling macrophages, likely exacerbating inflammatory anemia. (B) Rapid resolution of inflammation following anti-TB treatment allows Erfe to suppress hepcidin, mobilizing sequestered iron and unblocking dietary iron absorption, contributing to resolution of inflammatory anemia. The figure was created with Biorender.com.