Erythroferrone is secreted from NRBCs in response to erythropoietin. ERFE causes increased iron absorption in the gastrointestinal system and release of iron from macrophages through ferroportin by decreasing hepcidin synthesis and provides sufficient iron for hematopoietic tissue (Kautz and Nemeth, 2014).

Abbreviations: EPO, erythropoietin; HIF, hypoxia inducible factor; pO2, pressure of oxygen.