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Deng L, Lu Y, Yang D, Yang F, Ruan H, Wei C, Lai K, Pang L. Placental transcriptome sequencing combined with bioinformatics predicts potential genes and circular RNAs associated with hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2021; 48:313-327. [PMID: 34935248 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM Hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome (BHFS) is the most severe form of α-thalassemia. Histological alternations can be observed in placenta, but placental transcriptome profile and circular RNAs have not been studied in this disease. The aim of this study was to define the placental transcriptional changes and find relevant circular RNAs in BHFS. METHODS We performed high-throughput RNA sequencing to detect placental samples from fetuses affected by BHFS (n = 5) and normal fetuses (NF, n = 5), quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and Sanger sequencing to validate the differentially expressed circRNAs and their potentially related miRNAs (BHFS, n = 22; NF, n = 11). Bioinformatics methods were performed for further analysis. RESULTS Our results showed 152 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 112 circRNAs, and 45 microRNAs that were differentially expressed. DEGs were found to be involved in Gene Ontology terms related to gas transport, cell adhesion, oxidative stress, organ development, hemopoiesis, and others. RT-qPCR results showed that hsa_circ_0003961 and hsa_circ_0006687 were upregulated (p < 0.05). The competing endogenous RNA and co-expression networks showed that hsa_circ_0003961 and hsa_circ_0006687 were connected with 3 miRNAs and some DEGs, including cell adhesion genes (e.g., CLDN19), hemoglobin related genes (e.g., SOX6 and HBZ) and angiogenesis related genes (e.g., EPHB2). Downregulations of hsa-miR-1299 and hsa-miR-625-5p in ceRNA network were also validated by RT-qPCR. Gene set enrichment analysis results for the two circRNAs showed that some gene sets associated with cell adhesion, hematopoietic system and apoptosis were significantly enriched. CONCLUSIONS Our study characterized the placental transcriptome of BHFS. The circRNAs hsa_circ_0003961 and hsa_circ_0006687 in placenta may be relevant to BHFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjie Deng
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yebin Lu
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Gaungxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, China
| | - Dongmei Yang
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Heyun Ruan
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | | | - Ketong Lai
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Lihong Pang
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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Zhan W, Guo H, Hu S, Wang J, Qin D, Liang J, Du L, Luo M. Comparison of cord blood hematological parameters among normal, α-thalassemia, and β-thalassemia fetuses between 17 and 38 weeks of gestation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3844. [PMID: 33589684 PMCID: PMC7884422 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82297-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare hematological parameters among normal, α-, and β-thalassemia fetuses between 17 and 38 weeks of gestation. Pregnant women at risk of having fetuses with thalassemia major and underwent cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis were recruited. Fetal cord blood samples were collected from 249 fetuses for hematological and DNA analysis. Fetuses were divided into subgroups according to thalassemia DNA genotypes. The average and gestational age of subjects were 27.95 ± 5.78 years and 27.78 ± 3.57 weeks, respectively. The distribution of α-thalassemia, β-thalassemia, and normal cases was 67.87%, 19.68%, and 12.45%, respectively. Significant differences in almost all the hematological parameters (HbF, HbA, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, and NBRCs) were observed in three groups (P < 0.001, except for RBC, P = 0.446). These differences were also observed in four α-thalassemia subgroups (P < 0.001) and were associated with the number of defected genes. Similarly, in five β-thalassemia genotypes, HbF, HbA, RBC, MCV, MCH and NBRCs were presented differently (P < 0.05). Additionally, the trends in RBC, Hb, and HCT changes in three α-thalassemia subgroups (silent carrier, trait, and major) and β+/β+ fetuses' MCV, MCH, and RDW levels with gestation age were opposite to those of normal fetuses. We compared the distribution of hematological parameters in fetuses affected by most genotypes of thalassemia, as well as their trends in relation to gestational age for the first time, which is a good reference for future studies and prenatal diagnostic practices. The investigated hematological parameters are also valuable in diagnosing and differentiating thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Zhan
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 521-523 Xingnan Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511442, People's Republic of China.,Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Guo
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 521-523 Xingnan Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511442, People's Republic of China.,Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Siqi Hu
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 521-523 Xingnan Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511442, People's Republic of China
| | - Jicheng Wang
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 521-523 Xingnan Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511442, People's Republic of China.,Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Danqing Qin
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 521-523 Xingnan Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511442, People's Republic of China.,Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Juqing Liang
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 521-523 Xingnan Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511442, People's Republic of China.,Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Du
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 521-523 Xingnan Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511442, People's Republic of China.,Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyong Luo
- Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 521-523 Xingnan Avenue, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511442, People's Republic of China. .,Medical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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King AJ, Higgs DR. Potential new approaches to the management of the Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome: the most severe form of α-thalassemia. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2018; 2018:353-360. [PMID: 30504332 PMCID: PMC6246003 DOI: 10.1182/asheducation-2018.1.353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The α-thalassemia trait, associated with deletions removing both α-globin genes from 1 chromosome (genotype ζ αα/ζ--), is common throughout Southeast Asia. Consequently, many pregnancies in couples of Southeast Asian origin carry a 1 in 4 risk of producing a fetus inheriting no functional α-globin genes (ζ--/ζ--), leading to hemoglobin (Hb) Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome (BHFS). Expression of the embryonic α-globin genes (ζ-globin) is normally limited to the early stages of primitive erythropoiesis, and so when the ζ-globin genes are silenced, at ∼6 weeks of gestation, there should be no α-like globin chains to pair with the fetal γ-globin chains of Hb, which consequently form nonfunctional tetramers (γ4) known as Hb Bart's. When deletions leave the ζ-globin gene intact, a low level of ζ-globin gene expression continues in definitive erythroid cells, producing small amounts of Hb Portland (ζ2γ2), a functional form of Hb that allows the fetus to survive up to the second or third trimester. Untreated, all affected individuals die at these stages of development. Prevention is therefore of paramount importance. With improvements in early diagnosis, intrauterine transfusion, and advanced perinatal care, there are now a small number of individuals with BHFS who have survived, with variable outcomes. A deeper understanding of the mechanism underlying the switch from ζ- to α-globin expression could enable persistence or reactivation of embryonic globin synthesis in definitive cells, thereby providing new therapeutic options for such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J King
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas R Higgs
- Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Yu X, Yang LY, Yang HT, Liu CG, Cao DC, Shen W, Yang H, Zhan XF, Li J, Xue BR, Lin M. Molecular Epidemiological Investigation of Thalassemia in the Chengdu Region, Sichuan Province, Southwest China. Hemoglobin 2015; 39:393-7. [PMID: 26290351 DOI: 10.3109/03630269.2015.1070733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Thalassemia is the most common inherited disease in southern China. However, this disorder is usually ignored by the health system in the Sichuan Province due to the lack of epidemiological data. To provide basic epidemiological data for thalassemia screening, genetic counseling, and prenatal diagnosis (PND) in the Chengdu region, a total of 3262 healthy subjects were assessed by complete blood count (CBC), reverse dot-blot gene chip, gap-polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR), and PCR-DNA sequencing. A frequency of heterozygous thalassemia of 3.43% (112/3262) was found, of which 2.21% (72/3262) patients carried α-thalassemia (α-thal), 1.19% (39/3262) β-thalassemia (β-thal) and 0.3% (1/3262) hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (Hb) (HPFH)/δβ-thalassemia (δβ-thal). Four types of α-thal mutations were found, the most prevalent being - -(SEA) (68.06%), followed by -α(3.7) (rightward deletion, 25.0%), Hb Quong Sze (Hb QS; HBA2: c.377 T > C) (4.17%), and -α(4.2) (leftward deletion, 2.78%). The seven β-thal mutations included: codons 41/42 (-TTCT), HBB: c.126_129delCTTT (13/39, 33.33%); codon 17 (A > T), HBB: c.52 A > T (11/39, 28.95%); IVS-II-654 (C > T), HBB: c.316-197 C > T (9/39, 23.68%); -28 (A > G), HBB: c.-78 A > G (3/39, 7.69%); -29 (A > G), HBB: c.-79 A > G (1/39, 2.56%); codons 27/28 (+C), HBB: c.84_85insC (1/39, 2.56%), and the rare IVS-II-850 (G > T), HBB: c.316-1 G > T (1/39, 2.56%). Only one case of the Southeast Asian HPFH deletion was found. This is the first detailed molecular epidemiological survey of thalassemia in the Chengdu region, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China (PRC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Yu
- a Department of Medical Laboratory , Chengdu Women's & Children's Central Hospital , Chengdu , Sichuan Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Ye Yang
- b Central Laboratory , Chaozhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University , Chaozhou , Guangdong Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Tian Yang
- b Central Laboratory , Chaozhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University , Chaozhou , Guangdong Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Gui Liu
- a Department of Medical Laboratory , Chengdu Women's & Children's Central Hospital , Chengdu , Sichuan Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Deng-Cheng Cao
- a Department of Medical Laboratory , Chengdu Women's & Children's Central Hospital , Chengdu , Sichuan Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Shen
- a Department of Medical Laboratory , Chengdu Women's & Children's Central Hospital , Chengdu , Sichuan Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Yang
- b Central Laboratory , Chaozhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University , Chaozhou , Guangdong Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Fen Zhan
- b Central Laboratory , Chaozhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University , Chaozhou , Guangdong Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Li
- c Department of Parasitology , College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine , Shiyan Province , Hubei , People's Republic of China
| | - Bing-Rong Xue
- d Department of Medical Laboratory , Mianyang Central Hospital , Mianyang , Sichuan Province , People's Republic of China
| | - Min Lin
- b Central Laboratory , Chaozhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University , Chaozhou , Guangdong Province , People's Republic of China
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Leung KY, Poon CF, Teotico AR, Hata T, Won HS, Chen M, Chittacharoen A, Malhotra J, Shah PK, Salim A. Recommendations on routine mid-trimester anomaly scan. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2015; 41:653-61. [PMID: 25891534 DOI: 10.1111/jog.12700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the minimal requirements of the routine mid-trimester anomaly scan in Asian countries after taking into account various factors, including local circumstances, medical practice, guidelines, and availability of experienced sonographers and high-resolution ultrasound machines, which affect the prenatal detection rate of fetal anomalies. In general, a routine mid-trimester anomaly scan includes the assessment of the number of fetuses, fetal cardiac activity, size, anatomy, liquor and placental location. The most controversial issue is which fetal structures should at least be examined. We discussed the requirements of a basic routine scan, as well as the optional views, which can be obtained if feasible to improve the detection of fetal, placental or maternal abnormalities. Routine anomaly scan remains a clinical challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwok Yin Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR
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