ERFE overexpression further suppresses hepcidin levels in adult thalassemic mice. Mice generated from Th3 × E(M) breedings were analyzed at 16 weeks. Data for males are depicted in closed circles and for females in open circles. Liver hepcidin Hamp mRNA (A) and serum hepcidin protein concentration (B) are shown and also expressed as a ratio to liver nonheme iron concentration (LIC) to determine the appropriateness of hepcidin levels relative to iron status (C,D). P values were assessed by two-tailed unpaired t test (∗∗P < .01; ∗∗∗∗P < .0001) between the Th3 and T-E(M) groups only.