Fig. 8.
Loss of Ndfip1 results in increased DMT1 levels and accumulation of Fe in the brain. (A) Ndfip1−/− mice brain sections show increased levels of DMT1 staining when compared with Ndfip1+/− littermates. (B and C) Brains sections from Ndfip1+/− and Ndfip1−/− mice were incubated with FeCl2 for 18 h before staining with Perls Prussian blue for Fe. Ndfip1−/− mice were observed to have significant staining for Fe deposits when compared to Ndfip1+/− littermates at both the cortical surface (B) and within the cortex (C) (left panel, 20× images; two right panels, 40×). (D) ICP-MS analysis of brains of Ndfip1−/− mice fed on a low Fe diet show an accumulation of Fe when compared to wild-type littermates. No difference was observed in the concentration of brain Fe between Ndfip1+/+ and Ndfip1−/− mice when exposed to a high Fe diet. (E) Ndfip1−/− mice when fed a low Fe diet have greater levels of DMT1 when compared to Ndfip1+/+ mice. No difference was observed in the levels of DMT1 in mice fed on a high Fe diet most likely due to transcriptional regulation of the DMT1 gene. (Scale bar, 30 μM.)