Gene expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in response to hypoxia in sickle cell anaemia: Influence of hydroxycarbamide

Br J Haematol. 2020 Jul;190(1):e39-e42. doi: 10.1111/bjh.16693. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Abstract

Hypoxia and hemoglobin S polymerization are two triggers responsible for initiating erythrocyte sickling and the consequent clinical sickle cell anemia (SCA) events. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of hypoxia-responsive genes in SCA, testing for correlation with the clinical-laboratorial characteristics of the patient and hydroxyurea therapy. Our results showed, for the first time, a significantly increased expression of HIF-1α and VEGF genes in patients with SCA and an inverse dose-response relationship with hydroxyurea therapy. These results suggest that hypoxic stress may be involved in both the severity of SCA and its response to treatment.

Keywords: HIF-1α; VEGF; hydroxycarbamide; hypoxia; sickle cell anaemia.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / blood
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / drug therapy
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / metabolism
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / pathology
  • Antisickling Agents / therapeutic use
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyurea / therapeutic use*
  • Hypoxia / blood
  • Hypoxia / genetics*
  • Hypoxia / metabolism
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / biosynthesis
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / genetics*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antisickling Agents
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • RNA, Messenger
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Hydroxyurea