Expression of Hfe in Tfr2^245x/245x mice fails to increase hepcidin expression and to reduce iron levels. (A-B) An identical protocol was used as outlined in Figure 1. In this case AAV-Hfe (■) or AAV-c (▩) was injected into Tfr2^245x/245x mice. Mice injected with AAV-Hfe express Hfe as judged by immunoblots and increased Hfe mRNA. No differences in nonheme iron were detected in the livers of AAV-Hfe–injected mice compared with AAV-c–injected Tfr2^245x/245x mice. Three mice were used in each set of experiments. The experiment was repeated twice with similar results. Error bars represent SD.