The systems biology-based argument for taking a bold step in chemoprophylaxis of sickle vasculopathy

Factor H interferes with the adhesion of sickle red cells to vascular endothelium: a novel disease-modulating molecule

Sickle cell disease is an autosomal recessive genetic red cell disorder with a worldwide distribution. Growing evidence suggests a possible involvement of complement activation in the severity of clinical complications of sickle cell disease. In this study we found activation of the alternative complement pathway with microvascular deposition of C5b-9 on skin biopsies from patients with sickle cell disease. There was also deposition of C3b on sickle red cell membranes, which is promoted locally by the exposure of phosphatidylserine. In addition, we showed for the first time a peculiar “stop-and-go” motion of sickle cell red blood cells on tumor factor-α–activated vascular endothelial surfaces. Using the C3b/iC3b binding plasma protein factor Has an inhibitor of C3b cell-cell interactions, we found that factor H and its domains 19-20 prevent the adhesion of sickle red cells to the endothelium, normalizing speed transition times of red cells. We documented that factor H acts by preventing the adhesion of sickle red cells to P-selectin and/or the Mac-1 receptor (CD11b/CD18), supporting the activation of the alternative pathway of complement as an additional mechanism in the pathogenesis of acute sickle cell related vaso-occlusive crises. Our data provide a rationale for further investigation of the potential contribution of factor H and other modulators of the alternative complement pathway with potential implications for the treatment of sickle cell disease.

The European Hematology Association Roadmap for European Hematology Research: a consensus document

The European Hematology Association (EHA) Roadmap for European Hematology Research highlights major achievements in diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders and identifies the greatest unmet clinical and scientific needs in those areas to enable better funded, more focused European hematology research. Initiated by the EHA, around 300 experts contributed to the consensus document, which will help European policy makers, research funders, research organizations, researchers, and patient groups make better informed decisions on hematology research. It also aims to raise public awareness of the burden of blood disorders on European society, which purely in economic terms is estimated at €23 billion per year, a level of cost that is not matched in current European hematology research funding. In recent decades, hematology research has improved our fundamental understanding of the biology of blood disorders, and has improved diagnostics and treatments, sometimes in revolutionary ways. This progress highlights the potential of focused basic research programs such as this EHA Roadmap.The EHA Roadmap identifies nine 'sections' in hematology: normal hematopoiesis, malignant lymphoid and myeloid diseases, anemias and related diseases, platelet disorders, blood coagulation and hemostatic disorders, transfusion medicine, infections in hematology, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These sections span 60 smaller groups of diseases or disorders.The EHA Roadmap identifies priorities and needs across the field of hematology, including those to develop targeted therapies based on genomic profiling and chemical biology, to eradicate minimal residual malignant disease, and to develop cellular immunotherapies, combination treatments, gene therapies, hematopoietic stem cell treatments, and treatments that are better tolerated by elderly patients.

Oxidative stress in β-thalassaemia and sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease and β-thalassaemia are inherited haemoglobinopathies resulting in structural and quantitative changes in the β-globin chain. These changes lead to instability of the generated haemoglobin or to globin chain imbalance, which in turn impact the oxidative environment both intracellularly and extracellularly. The ensuing oxidative stress and the inability of the body to adequately overcome it are, to a large extent, responsible for the pathophysiology of these diseases. This article provides an overview of the main players and control mechanisms involved in the establishment of oxidative stress in these haemoglobinopathies.

Oxidative stress in sickle cell disease; pathophysiology and potential implications for disease management

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemoglobinopathy characterized by hemolytic anemia, increased susceptibility to infections and vaso-occlusion leading to a reduced quality of life and life expectancy. Oxidative stress is an important feature of SCD and plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of hemolysis, vaso-occlusion and ensuing organ damage in sickle cell patients. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the (end-)products of their oxidative reactions are potential markers of disease severity and could be targets for antioxidant therapies. This review will summarize the role of ROS in SCD and their potential implication for SCD management.

Pathophisiology of sickle cell disease and new drugs for the treatment

A homozygous mutation in the gene for β globin, a subunit of adult hemoglobin A (HbA), is the proximate cause of sickle cell disease (SCD). Sickle hemoglobin (HbS) shows peculiar biochemical properties, which lead to polymerizing when deoxygenated. HbS polymerization is associated with a reduction in cell ion and water content (cell dehydration), increased red cell density which further accelerate HbS polymerization. Dense, dehydrated erythrocytes are likely to undergo instant polymerization in conditions of mild hypoxia due to their high HbS concentration, and HbS polymers may be formed under normal oxygen pressure. Pathophysiological studies have shown that the dense, dehydrated red cells may play a central role in acute and chronic clinical manifestations of sickle cell disease, in which intravascular sickling in capillaries and small vessels leads to vaso-occlusion and impaired blood flow in a variety of organs and tissue. The persistent membrane damage associated with HbS polymerization also favors the generation of distorted rigid cells and further contributes to vaso-occlusive crisis (VOCs) and cell destruction in the peripheral circulation. These damaged, dense sickle red cells also show a loss of phospholipid asymmetry with externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS), which is believed to play a significant role in promoting macrophage recognition with removal of erythrocytes (erythrophagocytosis). Vaso-occlusive events in the microcirculation result from a complex scenario involving the interactions between different cell types, including dense, dehydrated sickle cells, reticulocytes, abnormally activated endothelial cells, leukocytes, platelets and plasma factors such as cytokine and oxidized pro-inflammatory lipids. Hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea) is currently the only drug approved for chronic administration in adult patients with sickle cell disease to prevent acute painful crises and reduce the incidence of transfusion and acute chest crises. Here, we will focus on consolidated and experimental therapeutic strategies for the treatment of sickle cell disease, including:

agents which reduce or prevent sickle cell dehydration

agents which reduce sickle cell-endothelial adhesive events

nitric oxide (NO) or NO-related compounds

anti-oxidant agents

Correction of the abnormalities ranging from membrane cation transport pathways to red cell-endothelial adhesive events, might constitute new pharmacological targets for treating sickle cell disease.