Tfrc^Tek-Cremice express physiological levels of Bmp6 and Hamp mRNAs and induce them in response to high dietary iron, but fail to induce Bmp6 mRNA following FAC injection. (A) Schematic experimental outline. All mice were 7- to 8-week-old males (n = 6-10 per group). At end point, the animals were euthanized, serum was prepared, and livers were harvested for biochemical analysis. Serum iron (B); Tf saturation (C); total iron binding capacity (TIBC) (D); NTBI (E); LIC (F); quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of mRNAs encoding liver Bmp6, Bmp2, hepcidin (Hamp), and Id1, respectively (G-J); and mRNA/LIC ratios for Bmp6, Bmp2, Hamp and Id1, respectively (K-N). Serum data (B-E) and LIC (F) are represented as mean ± standard error of the mean, and gene expression data (G-N) are represented as geometric mean ± geometric standard deviation. Statistical differences (P < .05) were determined using Student t test on the original data (B-E) or log-transformed gene expression data (G-N). Statistically significant differences between Tfrc^fl/fl and Tfrc^Tek-Cre mice on the SD are represented as a and b, respectively. Illustration of panel A was performed using BioRender.com. Fe, iron; ppm, parts per million.