Fig 1.

SLN124 treatment induces hepcidin expression and reduces serum iron levels in β‐thalassaemia intermedia (Hbb^th3+/−) mice. (A) Liver transmembrane serine protease 6 (Tmprss6) mRNA expression levels. (B) Liver hepcidin anti‐microbial peptide (Hamp) mRNA expression levels. (C) Serum hepcidin levels and (D) serum iron levels following treatment. Hbb^th3+/− and wild type (WT) (~6‐month‐old female) mice were injected twice with 3 mg/kg SLN124 alone or in combination with deferiprone (DFP) over a 35‐day period. Control groups received either the vehicle (phosphate‐buffered saline) or Tmprss6 small interfering RNA (siRNA) without targeting ligand (CTRL). Total liver mRNA was harvested 21 days after the final injection from either vehicle control or treated groups. Tmprss6 or Hamp mRNA was assessed by for real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), normalised to β‐actin and expressed relative to the Hbb^th3+/– vehicle control group, which was defined as 1·0. Serum hepcidin and serum iron levels was assessed on day 35. Results are presented by box plots with n = 4–6 mice/group. Statistical significance was determined in a Brown–Forsythe test (F*‐test) followed by Dunnett’s T3 post hoc tests against associated vehicle control group and as indicated by the brackets [not statistically significant (ns), P > 0·05; *P ≤ 0·05; ***P ≤ 0·001].