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M E Fabry

Publications and source records attributed to M E Fabry.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Linkage-disequilibrium of the senegal haplotype with the beta S gene in the republic of guinea.

We have determined the beta gene cluster haplotype in 40 chromosomes carrying the beta S mutation from individuals of the major ethnic groups living in the Republic of Guinea. Thirty-one of these were either the typical (n = 29) or the atypical (n = 2) Senegal haplotype demonstrating that in this region of Atlantic West Africa, the sickle mutation is in linkage disequilibrium with this particular beta-gene cluster haplotype. Two individuals carrying one chromosome bearing the Benin haplotype were of Malinke ethnic origin. This is in keeping with the hypothesis that the Senegal beta-gene cluster haplotype is linked to the beta S gene in Atlantic West Africa.

Adolescent

High expression of human beta S- and alpha-globins in transgenic mice: hemoglobin composition and hematological consequences.

A line of transgenic mice (alpha H beta S-11; where alpha H is human alpha-globin) was created in which the human beta S and human alpha 2 globin genes, each linked to the beta-globin locus control region, were cointegrated into the mouse genome. On a normal genetic background, the transgenic mice produced 36% human beta S-globin chains with an alpha H/beta S ratio of 1.3. Higher levels of beta S were achieved by breeding the transgenic mice with mutant mice carrying a mouse beta major-globin gene deletion. Mice heterozygous for the beta major deletion (alpha H beta S[beta MD]; MD, mouse deletion) had 54% beta S with an alpha H/beta S ratio of 1.0; mice homozygous for the beta major deletion (alpha H beta S[beta MDD]) had 72.5% beta S and an alpha H/beta S ratio of 0.73. Because mouse alpha chains inhibit hemoglobin (Hb) S polymerization, we bred the mice to heterozygosity for a mouse alpha-globin deletion. These mice (alpha H beta S[alpha MD beta MDD]) had an increased alpha H/beta S ratio of 0.89 but expressed 65% beta S. Expression of the human genes cured the thalassemic phenotype associated with the murine beta major deletion. Transgenic alpha H beta S[beta MDD] mice had normal hematocrit and Hb and somewhat elevated reticulocytes (6% vs. 3% for control), whereas the mice carrying the alpha-globin deletion (alpha H beta S[alpha MD beta MDD]) had a normal hematocrit and Hb and more elevated reticulocytes (10.3 +/- 7.6% vs. 3.4 +/- 1.0%). Expression of the transgene restored a normal distribution of erythrocyte densities when compared to thalassemic mice; however, the average mean corpuscular Hb concentration of alpha H beta S[beta MDD] mice increased to 35.7 g/dl (vs. control 33.7 g/dl) whereas that of alpha H beta S[alpha MD beta MDD] mice was further elevated to 36.3 g/dl. The intrinsic oxygen affinity was increased in transgenic mouse erythrocytes at 280 milliosmolal, and the PO2 at midsaturation of alpha H beta S[alpha MD beta MDD] erythrocytes was higher than that of alpha H beta S[beta MDD] cells (37.4 +/- 2 vs. 33.5 +/- 1 mmHg). The higher values of the mean corpuscular Hb concentration and intrinsic PO2 at midsaturation, which favor in vivo sickling, may explain the slightly more severe hematological picture in alpha H beta S[alpha MD beta MDD] mice. We conclude that the transgenic mouse with high Hb S expression does not exhibit adult anemia but does have abnormal hematological features: increased erythrocyte density, high oxygen affinity, and reticulocytosis with increased stress reticulocytes.

Anemia, Sickle Cell

High expression of human beta S- and alpha-globins in transgenic mice: erythrocyte abnormalities, organ damage, and the effect of hypoxia.

A line of transgenic mice with two cointegrated transgenes, the human beta S- and alpha 2-globin genes, linked to the beta-globin locus control region was produced and bred with mice carrying a deletion of the mouse beta major-globin gene. In transgenic mice homozygous for the beta major deletion (alpha H beta S[beta MDD]; where alpha H is human alpha-globin and MD is mouse deletion), 72.5 +/- 2.4% (mean +/- SD) of the beta-chains are beta S and the ratio of alpha H- to beta S-globin was 0.73. Introduction of a heterozygous mouse alpha-globin deletion into mice homozygous for the beta major deletion (alpha H beta S[alpha MD beta MDD]) resulted in 65.1 +/- 8.5% beta S and a human alpha/beta ratio of 0.89 +/- 0.2. Sickling occurs in 95% of erythrocytes from alpha H beta S[beta MDD] mice after slow deoxygenation. Transmission electron microscopy revealed polymer fiber formation but not fascicles of fiber. Increased organ weight was noted in lung, spleen, and kidney of transgenic mice vs. controls that may be due to hypertrophy or increased blood volume in the lungs and/or increased tissue water content. The hemoglobin content of lung, spleen, and kidney was also elevated in transgenic animals due to trapped hemoglobin and/or increased blood volume. When transgenic and control mice were examined by magnetic resonance imaging at 9.4 tesla, some transgenic animals had enlarged kidneys with prolonged relaxation time, consistent with increased organ weight and water content. The glomerular filtration rate was elevated in transgenic animals, which is characteristic of young sickle cell patients. Furthermore, exposure to hypoxia resulted in significantly decreased hematocrit, increased erythrocyte density, and induced a urine-concentrating defect. We conclude that the transgenic mouse line reported here has chronic organ damage and further hematological and organ dysfunction can be induced by hypoxia.

Anemia, Sickle Cell

Demonstration of endothelial adhesion of sickle cells in vivo: a distinct role for deformable sickle cell discocytes.

Different morphologic and density classes of sickle cells (SS) may play distinct roles in the generation of vasoocclusion, explaining the complexity of this phenomena. The densest SS red blood cells (RBCs) (SS4) can induce vasoocculsion in ex vivo microcirculatory preparations as well as in an intact animal model. Previous studies of the interaction of SS deformable discocytes with endothelial monolayers or the rat ex vivo mesocecum preparation have shown adhesion that is desmopressin (dDAVP)-stimulated, von Willebrand factor (vWF)-mediated, and limited to the small venules. However, in vivo adhesion of SS RBCs to the endothelium has neither been demonstrated nor characterized; and, in particular, the relation of adhesion to vasoocclusion is unknown. Using an intact animal model that involves injecting saline-washed, density-defined SS RBCs into the femoral artery of a rat, we find that: (1) Quantitative studies of RBCs retained in the rat thigh using 99mTc-labeled RBCs and gamma camera imaging showed that dDAVP induces a threefold increase in retention of normal (AA) cells and deformable SS discocytes (SS2). (2) electron microscopy and Microfil injection show that the retention of SS2 cells is due to adhesion to the vascular endothelium with no evidence of obstruction. (3) H-1 magnetic resonance imaging showed that retention of SS4 cells induced a dose-dependent increase in tissue edema (presumable secondary to tissue hypoxia), while retention of AA or SS2 cells produced no change. We conclude that endothelial adhesion of deformable SS discocytes can be demonstrated in an in vivo animal model, that this adhesion is enhanced by dDAVP (presumably related to, but not necessarily limited to the release of vWF), and that this phenomenon per se does not lead to vasoocclusion. Nevertheless, adhesion of deformable SS discocytes may have consequences. We hypothesize that adhesion of SS discocytes could narrow the lumen of postcapillary venules and facilitate secondary trapping of SS4 cells and lead to subsequent vasoocclusion.

Anemia, Sickle Cell

The unique red cell heterogeneity of SC disease: crystal formation, dense reticulocytes, and unusual morphology.

Knowledge concerning SS (homozygous for the beta s gene) red blood cell (RBC) heterogeneity has been useful for understanding the pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia. No equivalent information exists for RBCs of the compound heterozygote for the beta s and beta c genes (SC) RBCs. These RBCs are known to be denser than most cells in normal blood and even most cells in SS blood (Fabry et al, J Clin Invest 70:1284, 1981). We have analyzed the characteristics of SC RBC heterogeneity and find that: (1) SC cells exhibit unusual morphologic features, particularly the tendency for membrane "folding" (multifolded, unifolded, and triangular shapes are all common); (2) SC RBCs containing crystals and some containing round hemoglobin (Hb) aggregates (billiard-ball cells) are detectable in circulating SC blood; (3) in contrast to normal reticulocytes, which are found mainly in a low-density RBC fraction, SC reticulocytes are found in the densest SC RBC fraction; and (4) both deoxygenation and replacement of extracellular Cl- by NO3- (both inhibitors of K:Cl cotransport) led to moderate depopulation of the dense fraction and a dramatic shift of the reticulocytes to lower density fractions. We conclude that the RBC heterogeneity of SC disease is very different from that of SS disease. The major contributions of properties introduced by HbC are "folded" RBCs, intracellular crystal formation in circulating SC cells, and apparently a very active K:Cl cotransporter that leads to unusually dense reticulocytes.

Anemia, Sickle Cell

Rapid increase in red blood cell density driven by K:Cl cotransport in a subset of sickle cell anemia reticulocytes and discocytes.

We have previously demonstrated that young normal (AA) and sickle cell anemia (SS) red blood cells are capable of a volume regulatory decrease response (VRD) driven by a K:Cl cotransporter that is activated by low pH or hypotonic conditions. We now report on the characteristics of young SS cells (SS2, discocytes) capable of rapid increase in density in response to swelling. We have isolated cells with high VRD response (H-VRD) and low VRD response (L-VRD) cells by incubation and density-gradient centrifugation under hypotonic conditions. Comparison of these cells in patients homozygous for hemoglobin (Hb)S indicated that H-VRD cells have 91% more reticulocytes (P less than 9 x 10(-9) than L-VRD cells, 25% less HbF (P less than 5.5 x 10(-5), 106% more NEM (N-methylmaleimide)-stimulated K:Cl cotransport activity (P less than 2 x 10(-4), and 86% more volume-stimulated K:Cl cotransport activity (P less than 1.8 x 10(-3). H-VRD and L-VRD cells have similar G-6-PD and Na+/H+ antiport activity. In agreement with the reduced percent HbF in H-VRD cells, F cells (red blood cells that contain fetal Hb) are depleted from the H-VRD population; however, F reticulocytes are enriched in the H-VRD population to the same extent as non-F reticulocytes, which suggests that both F and non-F reticulocytes have a similar initial distribution of volume-sensitive K:Cl cotransport activity but that it may be more rapidly inactivated in F than in S reticulocytes. We find that H-VRD cells consist of 20% reticulocytes (or 79% of all reticulocytes in SS2) and 80% more mature cells. This study demonstrates the role of K:Cl cotransport in determining red blood cell density, the heterogeneity of K:Cl cotransport activity in reticulocytes, and the capacity for rapid change in the density of reticulocytes with high K:Cl cotransport activity. We speculate that the H-VRD population may be more susceptible to generation of dense and irreversibly sickled cells.

Anemia, Sickle Cell

The Senegal DNA haplotype is associated with the amelioration of anemia in African-American sickle cell anemia patients.

We have previously determined that in African sickle cell anemia (SS) patients three different beta-like globin gene cluster haplotypes are associated with different percent G gamma (one of the two types of non-alpha chains comprising hemoglobin F [HbF]), mean percent HbF, and percent dense cells. We report now that in adult New York SS patients, the presence of at least one chromosome with the Senegal haplotype is associated with higher Hb levels (1.2 g/dL higher) than is found for any other non-Senegal haplotype (P less than .004). The percent reticulocytes and the serum bilirubin levels were lower in these patients. When the effect of alpha-gene number was analyzed by examining a sample of SS patients with concomitant alpha-thalassemia, the same results were obtained. Because the HbF level is significantly higher among the Senegal haplotype carriers in this sample, the inhibitory effect on sickling of this Hb variant may be one of the reasons for the haplotype effect. We conclude that the Senegal beta-like globin gene cluster haplotype is associated with an amelioration of the hemolytic anemia that characterizes sickle cell disease.

Adult

In vivo quantitation of water content in muscle tissues by NMR imaging.

The water contents of phantoms and muscle tissues were determined directly from NMR imaging experiments. The method involves the calculation of corrected proton densities using relaxation time determinations and suitable calibration phantoms. Comparison with the values obtained from the oven-dry method yields good agreement in normal rat skeletal tissue and in rats injected with red blood cells from sickle cell patients.

Animals

Sickle cell vaso-occlusion.

A polymerizable cell is a requirement for sickle cell vaso-occlusion, but other factors clearly modulate the course of the disease. Hemolysis produces a young red cell population that is capable of adhesion and may result in polymer formation in cells that would otherwise have remained deformable during transit through the microcirculation owing to prolonged delay time for polymerization. In addition, a young red cell population will have a higher activity of K:Cl cotransport, which is capable of rapidly dehydrating cells under acid conditions, thus promoting a vicious circle of hemolysis and adhesion. Transient occlusion may stimulate the release of vasoactive substances, which may lead to involvement of a larger area. In the past, research aimed at reducing the incidence of painful crisis was primarily focused on antisickling agents. Currently, hydroxyurea, which increases the level of fetal hemoglobin, which may be described as a natural antisickling agent, is undergoing clinical trials. Future research may involve agents that inhibit sickle cell adhesion, K:Cl cotransport, or vasoactive substances.

Anemia, Sickle Cell

Na+/H+ exchange is increased in sickle cell anemia and young normal red cells.

Red cell volume regulation is important in sickle cell anemia because the rate and extent of HbS polymerization are strongly dependent on initial hemoglobin concentration. We have demonstrated that volume-sensitive K:Cl cotransport is highly active in SS whole blood and is capable of increasing MCHC. We now report that Na+/H+ exchange (Na/H EXC), which is capable of decreasing the MCHC of erythrocytes with pHi less than 7.2, is also very active in the blood of patients homozygous for HbS. The activity of Na/H EXC (maximum rate) was determined by measuring net Na+ influx (mmol/liter cell.hr = FU) driven by an outward H+ gradient in oxygenated, acid-loaded (pHi6.0), DIDS-treated SS cells. The Na/H EXC activity was 33 +/- 3 FU (mean +/- SE) (n = 19) in AA whites, 37 +/- 8 FU (n = 8) in AA blacks, and 85 +/- 15 FU (n = 14) in SS patients (P less than 0.005). Separation of SS cells into four density-defined fractions by density gradient revealed mean values of Na/H EXC four to five times higher in reticulocytes (SS1), discocytes (SS2) and dense discocytes (SS3), than in the fraction containing irreversibly sickled cells and dense discocytes (SS4). In contrast to K:Cl cotransport, which dramatically decreases after reticulocyte maturation, Na/H EXC persists well after reticulocyte maturation. In density-defined, normal AA red cells, Na/H EXC decreased monotonically as cell density increased. In SS and AA red cells, the magnitude of stimulation of Na/H EXC by cell shrinkage varied from individual to individual.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anemia, Sickle Cell

Modeling sickle cell vasoocclusion in the rat leg: quantification of trapped sickle cells and correlation with 31P metabolic and 1H magnetic resonance imaging changes.

We have developed an animal model to elucidate the acute effects of perfusion abnormalities on muscle metabolism induced by different density-defined classes of erythrocytes isolated from sickle cell anemia patients. Technetium-99m (99mTc)-labeled, saline-washed normal (AA), homozygous sickle (SS), or high-density SS (SS4) erythrocytes were injected into the femoral artery of the rat and quantitative 99mTc imaging, 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy by surface coil at 2 teslas, and 1H magnetic resonance imaging at 0.15 tesla were performed. Between 5 and 25 microliters of SS4 cells was trapped in the microcirculation of the thigh (or 1-6 x 10(7) cells per cubic centimeter of tissue). In contrast, fewer SS discocytes (SS2) or AA cells were trapped (an equivalent packed cell volume of less than 6.7 microliters and 0.3 microliters, respectively). After injection of SS4 cells an initial increase in inorganic phosphate was observed in the region of the thigh served by the femoral artery, intracellular pH decreased, and subsequently the proton relaxation time T1 reached a broad maximum at 18-28 hr. When T1 obtained at this time was plotted against the volume of cells trapped, an increase of T1 over the control value of 411 +/- 48 msec was found that was proportional to the number of cells trapped. We conclude that the densest SS cells are most effective at producing vasoocclusion. The extent of the change detected by 1H magnetic resonance imaging is dependent on the amount of cells trapped in the microcirculation and the magnitude of the initial increase of inorganic phosphate.

Anemia, Sickle Cell

Microvascular sites and characteristics of sickle cell adhesion to vascular endothelium in shear flow conditions: pathophysiological implications.

To understand the role of sickle cell adherence to the vascular endothelium in the pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia (SS) vasoocclusion, we have carried out a microcirculatory study utilizing the ex vivo mesocecum vasculature of the rat. A single bolus of washed oxy-normal (AA) erythrocytes or oxy-SS cells (unseparated or density-defined SS cell classes) was infused. Hemodynamic monitoring and intravital microscopic observations of the microvascular flow revealed higher peripheral resistance for SS erythrocytes and adherence of these cells exclusively to the venular endothelium but rare or no adherence of AA cells. The extent of adhesion was inversely correlated with venular diameters (r = -0.812; P less than 0.00001). The adhesion of SS erythrocytes is density-class dependent: reticulocytes and young discocytes (SS1) greater than discocytes (SS2) greater than irreversible sickle cells and unsicklable dense discocytes (SS4). Selective secondary trapping of SS4 (dense cells) is found in postcapillary venules where deformable SS cells are preferentially adhered. We conclude that in the oxygenated condition, vasoocclusion can be induced by two events: (i) random precapillary obstruction by a small number of SS4 cells; (ii) increased adhesion of SS1 and SS2 cells in the immediate postcapillary venules. A combination of precapillary obstruction, adhesion in postcapillary venules, and secondary trapping of dense cells may induce local hypoxia, increased polymerization of hemoglobin S, and rigidity of SS erythrocytes, thereby extending obstruction to nearby vessels.

Adult

Pentoxifylline (Trental) has no significant effect on laboratory parameters in sickle cell disease.

The possible effect of pentoxifylline (Trental) in sickle celle disease was tested in 2 clinical trials: a controlled double-blinded intravenous study involving patients hospitalized with painful crises and an ublinded 5-month oral study in steady state patients. In the intravenous trial 29 painful episodes were treated in 16 patients. Complete blood counts, serum chemistries, red cell density gradients, intracellular pH, p50, whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity and red cell distribution widths were monitored daily during the hospital admission. We confirmed the decrease of dense red cells during crisis and found, in addition, the related significant decrease in whole blood p50. There were no major differences in any of these parameters when pentoxifylline was compared to placebo for each individual day. When the data was examined over time, minor differences emerged. The red cell distribution width, the number of cells in density fraction SS2 (discocytes) and the plasma viscosity were all slightly higher over time in the pentoxifylline group than in the control group. In the oral group 23 patients were monitored for the same parameters on seven visits during a five month period. Administration of oral pentoxifylline produced no changes from baseline for all parameters examined except for a statistically significant, but minor, increase in plasma viscosity demonstrable for these patients during one visit only. We conclude that pentoxifylline has little effect on laboratory parameters in sickle cell disease.

Administration, Oral

Atypical haplotypes linked to the beta S gene in Africa are likely to be the product of recombination.

We report here the haplotypes of 10 MstII-defined SS patients and a S/beta o thalassemia from the Central African Republic, exhibiting 7 different atypical haplotypes that are different from the typical Bantu haplotype that characterize over 93% of the beta s bearing chromosomes in that region of Africa. Of the seven atypical haplotypes, six can be easily interpreted as the result of recombination around the "hot spot" 5' of the beta gene, between a typical Bantu haplotype and other haplotypes available in the normal population. Except for one case that requires further study, this result demonstrates that the main mutational event leading to sickle hemoglobin in Bantu-speaking Africa was the mutation of the beta gene in a Bantu haplotype background.

Africa