Hypochromic microcytic anemia has been associated with a defect of iron absorption due to reduced iron entry into intestinal cells. Several isoforms of NRAMP2 (SLC11A2) are expressed ubiquitously in recycling endosomes or specifically at the apical membrane of epithelial cells in intestine and kidneys, and can contribute to iron overload, whereas mutations impairing NRAMP2 function cause a form of congenital hypochromic microcytic anemia.
