Defective Slc7a7 transport reduces systemic arginine availability compromising erythropoiesis and iron homeostasis

Abstract

ABSTRACTSlc7a7 encodes for y+LAT1, a transporter of cationic amino acid across the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells. Mutations in SLC7A7 gene give rise to Lysinuric Protein Intolerance (LPI), a rare autosomal recessive disease with wide variability of complications. Intriguingly, y+LAT1 is also involved in arginine transport in non-polarized cells such as macrophages. Here we report that complete inducible Slc7a7 ablation in mouse compromises systemic arginine availability that alters proper erythropoiesis and that dysfunctional RBC generation leads to increased erythrophagocytosis, iron overload and an altered iron metabolism by macrophages. Herein, uncovering a novel mechanism that links amino acid metabolism to erythropoiesis and iron metabolism. Mechanistically, the iron exporter ferroportin-1 expression was compromised by increased plasma hepcidin causing macrophage iron accumulation. Strikingly, lysozyme M-cell-specific knockout mice failed to reproduce the total knockout alterations, while bone marrow transplantation experiments resulted in the resolution of macrophage iron overload but could not overcome erythropoietic defect. This study establishes a new crucial link between systemic arginine availability in erythropoiesis and iron homeostasis.