We have previously demonstrated that hepatic Hamp1 mRNA suppression is associated with a down−regulation of atonal homolog 8, which is a positive regulator of hepcidin transcription that links erythropoiesis with iron−responsive molecules in response to iron−loading anemias (e.g., thalassemia) (Upanan et al., 2015). This evidence concerns the gene ATOH8 and anemia (phenotype).