No decrease in tubular ferroportin expression was observed, although the finding that hepatic hepcidin mRNA was significantly reduced in 32–36 week old NZB/W compared to NZW mice is consistent with the potential for improper regulation of ferroportin and iron handling in lupus; further examination of this issue is beyond the scope of the current study. The gene discussed is HAMP; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.