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Al-Kuraishy HM, Mazhar Ashour MH, Saad HM, Batiha GES. COVID-19 and β-thalassemia: in lieu of evidence and vague nexus. Ann Hematol 2024; 103:1423-1433. [PMID: 37405444 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-023-05346-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing acute systemic disorders and multi-organ damage. β-thalassemia (β-T) is an autosomal recessive disorder leading to the development of anemia. β-T may lead to complications such as immunological disorders, iron overload, oxidative stress, and endocrinopathy. β-T and associated complications may increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2, as inflammatory disturbances and oxidative stress disorders are linked with COVID-19. Therefore, the objective of the present review was to elucidate the potential link between β-T and COVID-19 regarding the underlying comorbidities. The present review showed that most of the β-T patients with COVID-19 revealed mild to moderate clinical features, and β-T may not be linked with Covid-19 severity. Though patients with transfusion-dependent β-T (TDT) develop less COVID-19 severity compared to non-transfusion-depend β-T(NTDT), preclinical and clinical studies are recommended in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayder M Al-Kuraishy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriyiah University, Box 14132, Baghdad, Iraq
| | | | - Hebatallah M Saad
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Matrouh University, Marsa Matruh, 51744, Egypt.
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, AlBeheira, Damanhour, 22511, Egypt
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Caprari P, Profumo E, Massimi S, Buttari B, Riganò R, Regine V, Gabbianelli M, Rossi S, Risoluti R, Materazzi S, Gullifa G, Maffei L, Sorrentino F. Hemorheological profiles and chronic inflammation markers in transfusion-dependent and non-transfusion- dependent thalassemia. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 9:1108896. [PMID: 36699704 PMCID: PMC9868635 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1108896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The rheological properties of blood play an important role in regulating blood flow in micro and macro circulation. In thalassemia syndromes red blood cells exhibit altered hemodynamic properties that facilitate microcirculatory diseases: increased aggregation and reduced deformability, as well as a marked increase in adherence to the vascular endothelial cells. A personalized approach to treating thalassemia patients (transfusions, iron chelation, and splenectomy), has increased patients' life expectancy, however they generally present many complications and several studies have demonstrated the presence of high incidence of thromboembolic events. In this study the hemorheological profiles of thalassemia patients have been characterized to point out new indices of vascular impairment in thalassemia. Plasma viscosity, blood viscosities at low and high shear rates (η1 and η200, respectively), erythrocyte aggregation index (η1/η200), and the erythrocyte viscoelastic profile (elastic modulus G', and viscous modulus G") have been studied in transfusion-dependent and non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients. Moreover, the levels of inflammation biomarkers in thalassemia have been evaluated to investigate a relationship between the biomarkers, the disease severity and the rheological parameters. The biomarkers studied are the main components of the immune and endothelial systems or are related to vascular inflammation: cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-alpha), chemokines (IL-8, MIP-1alpha), adipocytokines (leptin and adiponectin), growth factors (VEGF, angiopoietin-1), adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, L-selectin), and a monocyte/macrophage activation marker (CD163). This study shows that transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients, both major and intermedia, have blood viscosities comparable to those of healthy subjects. Non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia intermedia patients show high blood viscosities at low shear rates (η1), corresponding to the flow conditions of the microcirculation, an increase in erythrocyte aggregation, and high values of the elastic G' and viscous G" modules that reflect a reduced erythrocyte deformability and an increase in blood viscosity. Levels of cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules are different in transfusion- and non-transfusion dependent patients and positive correlations between η1 or η1/η200 and the cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 have been observed. The evaluation of the hemorheological profiles in thalassemia can provide new indicators of vascular impairment and disease severity in thalassemia in order to prevent the onset of thromboembolic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Caprari
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Patrizia Caprari,
| | - Elisabetta Profumo
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Massimi
- National Centre for the Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Brigitta Buttari
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Rachele Riganò
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenza Regine
- Department of Infectious Disease, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Gabbianelli
- Department of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Aging, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Rossi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Risoluti
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Laura Maffei
- Thalassemia Unit, S. Eugenio Hospital, Rome, Italy
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Hao M, Zhu L, Hou S, Chen S, Li X, Li K, Zhu N, Chen S, Xue L, Ju C, Zhang C. Sensitizing Tumors to Immune Checkpoint Blockage via STING Agonists Delivered by Tumor-Penetrating Neutrophil Cytopharmaceuticals. ACS NANO 2023; 17:1663-1680. [PMID: 36595464 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c11764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have displayed potential efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment, while only a minority of patients benefit from ICI therapy currently. Although activation of the innate immune stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway potentiates antitumor immunity and thus sensitizes tumors to ICIs, the efficient tumor penetration of STING agonists remains critically challenging. Herein, we prepare a tumor-penetrating neotype neutrophil cytopharmaceutical (NEs@STING-Mal-NP) with liposomal STING agonists conjugating on the surface of neutrophils, which is different from the typical neutrophil cytopharmaceutical that loads drugs inside the neutrophils. We show NEs@STING-Mal-NP that inherit the merits of neutrophils including proactive tumor vascular extravasation and tissue penetration significantly boost the tumor penetration of STING agonists. Moreover, the backpacked liposomal STING agonists can be released in response to hyaluronidase rich in the tumor environment, leading to enhanced uptake by tumor-infiltrating immune cells and tumor cells. Thus, NEs@STING-Mal-NP effectively activate the STING pathway and reinvigorate the tumor environment through converting macrophages and neutrophils to antitumor phenotypes, promoting the maturation of dendritic cells, and enhancing the infiltration and tumoricidal ability of T cells. Specifically, this cytopharmaceutical displays a significant inhibition on tumor growth and prolongs the survival of TNBC-bearing mice when combined with ICIs. We demonstrate that neutrophils serve as promising vehicles for delivering STING agonists throughout solid tumors and the developed neutrophil cytopharmaceuticals with backpacked STING agonists exhibit huge potential in boosting the immunotherapy of ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meixi Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
| | - Lulu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
| | - Siyuan Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
| | - Sijia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
| | - Xiuqi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
| | - Kaiming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
| | - Nianci Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
| | - Shanshan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
| | - Lingjing Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
| | - Caoyun Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
| | - Can Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P.R. China
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Pellegrino C, Dragonetti G, Chiusolo P, Rossi M, Orlando N, Teofili L. Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in a Woman with Thalassemia Intermedia: Case Report and Review of Literature on Hematological Malignancies in β-Thalassemia Patients. Hematol Rep 2022; 14:310-321. [PMID: 36278522 PMCID: PMC9590045 DOI: 10.3390/hematolrep14040045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients affected by transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia are prone to developing several clinical complications, mostly related to the iron overload. We report the case of a patient affected by transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) developing acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). In our case, the therapeutic management was significantly complicated not only by myocardial dysfunction, but also by the occurrence of the differentiation syndrome following all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) administration. We carried out a careful revision of the current literature on the occurrence of hematological malignancies in β-thalassemia patients to investigate the major complications so far described. APL occurrence in β-thalassemia patients has been very rarely reported, and our experience suggests that TDT patients suffering pre-existing comorbidities may develop a potentially fatal complication during ATRA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Pellegrino
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, I-00168 Roma, Italy
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, I-00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +06-30156016
| | - Giulia Dragonetti
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, I-00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Patrizia Chiusolo
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, I-00168 Roma, Italy
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, I-00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Rossi
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, I-00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Orlando
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, I-00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Luciana Teofili
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, I-00168 Roma, Italy
- Sezione di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche ed Ematologiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, I-00168 Rome, Italy
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Edinga BEE, Bigna JJ, Nansseu JR, Tchapmi AY, Mbouna SFM, Belinga S, Njoya O, Ama-Moor VJ, Njouom R. Simple noninvasive tests for liver fibrosis diagnosis in sub-Saharan African adults with chronic viral hepatitis B or C: A cross sectional study in Cameroon. Clin Chim Acta 2022; 536:56-60. [PMID: 36155867 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2022.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS This study aimed at measure the correlation between simple less expensive and noninvasive tests for liver fibrosis and Fibrotest among patients with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HCV) in resource-limited settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon among adults with chronic HBV or HCV infection. The correlation between aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index(APRI), the gamma-glutamyl transferase to platelet ratio (GPR), and Fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4); and Fibrotest was assessed using the Spearman rank test providing the rho (ρ) coefficient of correlation. RESULTS Of the 52 patients (mean age: 49 years, males: 51.9%) included, 52% were infected with HBV (n = 27). The APRI, GPR, FIB-4, and Fibrotest median scores (25th-75th percentiles) were: 0.37 (0.25-0.64), 0.34 (0.20-1.45), 1.49 (0.88-3.12), and 0.43 (0.21-0.80), respectively. The correlation with Fibrotest were: APRI (ρ = 0.678, p value < 0.0001), GPR (ρ = 0.621, p value < 0.0001) and FIB-4 (ρ = 0.772, p value < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS This study found a significant correlation between APRI, GPR and FIB-4; and Fibrotest among patients with chronic HBV or HCV infection in Cameroon. FIB-4 appeared as the diagnosis method with the strongest correlation with Fibrotest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertille Elodie E Edinga
- National Laboratory of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Yaounde, Cameroon; Department of Biochemistry, Higher Institute of Medical Technologies, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Jean Joel Bigna
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Jobert Richie Nansseu
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Adrienne Y Tchapmi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | | | - Suzanne Belinga
- Department of Medical Analyses, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Oudou Njoya
- Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Vicky Jocelyne Ama-Moor
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Department of Biochemistry, Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Richard Njouom
- Department of Virology, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
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Carsote M, Vasiliu C, Trandafir AI, Albu SE, Dumitrascu MC, Popa A, Mehedintu C, Petca RC, Petca A, Sandru F. New Entity-Thalassemic Endocrine Disease: Major Beta-Thalassemia and Endocrine Involvement. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12081921. [PMID: 36010271 PMCID: PMC9406368 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12081921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta-thalassemia (BTH), a recessively inherited haemoglobin (Hb) disorder, causes iron overload (IO), extra-medullary haematopoiesis and bone marrow expansion with major clinical impact. The main objective of this review is to address endocrine components (including aspects of reproductive health as fertility potential and pregnancy outcome) in major beta-thalassemia patients, a complex panel known as thalassemic endocrine disease (TED). We included English, full-text articles based on PubMed research (January 2017–June 2022). TED includes hypogonadism (hypoGn), anomalies of GH/IGF1 axes with growth retardation, hypothyroidism (hypoT), hypoparathyroidism (hypoPT), glucose profile anomalies, adrenal insufficiency, reduced bone mineral density (BMD), and deterioration of microarchitecture with increased fracture risk (FR). The prevalence of each ED varies with population, criteria of definition, etc. At least one out of every three to four children below the age of 12 y have one ED. ED correlates with ferritin and poor compliance to therapy, but not all studies agree. Up to 86% of the adult population is affected by an ED. Age is a positive linear predictor for ED. Low IGF1 is found in 95% of the population with GH deficiency (GHD), but also in 93.6% of persons without GHD. HypoT is mostly pituitary-related; it is not clinically manifested in the majority of cases, hence the importance of TSH/FT4 screening. HypoT is found at any age, with the prevalence varying between 8.3% and 30%. Non-compliance to chelation increases the risk of hypoT, yet not all studies confirmed the correlation with chelation history (reversible hypoT under chelation is reported). The pitfalls of TSH interpretation due to hypophyseal IO should be taken into consideration. HypoPT prevalence varies from 6.66% (below the age of 12) to a maximum of 40% (depending on the study). Serum ferritin might act as a stimulator of FGF23. Associated hypocalcaemia transitions from asymptomatic to severe manifestations. HypoPT is mostly found in association with growth retardation and hypoGn. TED-associated adrenal dysfunction is typically mild; an index of suspicion should be considered due to potential life-threatening complications. Periodic check-up by ACTH stimulation test is advised. Adrenal insufficiency/hypocortisolism status is the rarest ED (but some reported a prevalence of up to one third of patients). Significantly, many studies did not routinely perform a dynamic test. Atypical EM sites might be found in adrenals, mimicking an incidentaloma. Between 7.5–10% of children with major BTH have DM; screening starts by the age of 10, and ferritin correlated with glycaemia. Larger studies found DM in up to 34%of cases. Many studies do not take into consideration IGF, IGT, or do not routinely include OGTT. Glucose anomalies are time dependent. Emerging new markers represent promising alternatives, such as insulin secretion-sensitivity index-2. The pitfalls of glucose profile interpretation include the levels of HbA1c and the particular risk of gestational DM. Thalassemia bone disease (TBD) is related to hypoGn-related osteoporosis, renal function anomalies, DM, GHD, malnutrition, chronic hypoxia-induced calcium malabsorption, and transplant-associated protocols. Low BMD was identified in both paediatric and adult population; the prevalence of osteoporosis/TBD in major BTH patients varies; the highest rate is 40–72% depending on age, studied parameters, DXA evaluation and corrections, and screening thoracic–lumbar spine X-ray. Lower TBS and abnormal dynamics of bone turnover markers are reported. The largest cohorts on transfusion-dependent BTH identified the prevalence of hypoGn to be between 44.5% and 82%. Ferritin positively correlates with pubertal delay, and negatively with pituitary volume. Some authors appreciate hypoGn as the most frequent ED below the age of 15. Long-term untreated hypoGn induces a high cardiovascular risk and increased FR. Hormonal replacement therapy is necessary in addition to specific BTH therapy. Infertility underlines TED-related hormonal elements (primary and secondary hypoGn) and IO-induced gonadal toxicity. Males with BTH are at risk of infertility due to germ cell loss. IO induces an excessive amount of free radicals which impair the quality of sperm, iron being a local catalyser of ROS. Adequate chelation might improve fertility issues. Due to the advances in current therapies, the reproductive health of females with major BTH is improving; a low level of statistical significance reflects the pregnancy status in major BTH (limited data on spontaneous pregnancies and growing evidence of the induction of ovulation/assisted reproductive techniques). Pregnancy outcome also depends on TED approach, including factors such as DM control, adequate replacement of hypoT and hypoPT, and vitamin D supplementation for bone health. Asymptomatic TED elements such as subclinical hypothyroidism or IFG/IGT might become overt during pregnancy. Endocrine glands are particularly sensitive to iron deposits, hence TED includes a complicated puzzle of EDs which massively impacts on the overall picture, including the quality of life in major BTH. The BTH prognostic has registered progress in the last decades due to modern therapy, but the medical and social burden remains elevated. Genetic counselling represents a major step in approaching TH individuals, including as part of the pre-conception assessment. A multidisciplinary surveillance team is mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Carsote
- Department of Endocrinology, C. Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, 011684 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (M.-C.D.)
| | - Cristina Vasiliu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, C. Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & University Emergency Hospital, 011684 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandra Ioana Trandafir
- Department of Endocrinology, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, 011684 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Simona Elena Albu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, C. Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & University Emergency Hospital, 011684 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihai-Cristian Dumitrascu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, C. Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & University Emergency Hospital, 011684 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (M.-C.D.)
| | - Adelina Popa
- Department of Dermatovenerology, C. Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & “Elias” University Emergency Hospital, 011684 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Claudia Mehedintu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, C. Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & “Filantropia” Clinical Hospital, 011684 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan-Cosmin Petca
- Department of Urology, C. Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & “Prof. Dr. Theodor Burghele” Clinical Hospital, 011684 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Aida Petca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, C. Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & University Emergency Hospital, 011684 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Florica Sandru
- Department of Dermatovenerology, C. Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & “Elias” University Emergency Hospital, 011684 Bucharest, Romania
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Gluba-Brzózka A, Franczyk B, Rysz-Górzyńska M, Rokicki R, Koziarska-Rościszewska M, Rysz J. Pathomechanisms of Immunological Disturbances in β-Thalassemia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189677. [PMID: 34575839 PMCID: PMC8469188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Thalassemia, a chronic disease with chronic anemia, is caused by mutations in the β-globin gene, leading to reduced levels or complete deficiency of β-globin chain synthesis. Patients with β-thalassemia display variable clinical severity which ranges from asymptomatic features to severe transfusion-dependent anemia and complications in multiple organs. They not only are at increased risk of blood-borne infections resulting from multiple transfusions, but they also show enhanced susceptibility to infections as a consequence of coexistent immune deficiency. Enhanced susceptibility to infections in β-thalassemia patients is associated with the interplay of several complex biological processes. β-thalassemia-related abnormalities of the innate immune system include decreased levels of complement, properdin, and lysozyme, reduced absorption and phagocytic ability of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, disturbed chemotaxis, and altered intracellular metabolism processes. According to available literature data, immunological abnormalities observed in patients with thalassemia can be caused by both the disease itself as well as therapies. The most important factors promoting such alterations involve iron overload, phenotypical and functional abnormalities of immune system cells resulting from chronic inflammation oxidative stress, multiple blood transfusion, iron chelation therapy, and splenectomy. Unravelling the mechanisms underlying immune deficiency in β-thalassemia patients may enable the designing of appropriate therapies for this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gluba-Brzózka
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Lodz, Poland; (B.F.); (M.K.-R.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +48-42-639-3750
| | - Beata Franczyk
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Lodz, Poland; (B.F.); (M.K.-R.); (J.R.)
| | - Magdalena Rysz-Górzyńska
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Robert Rokicki
- Clinic of Hand Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Koziarska-Rościszewska
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Lodz, Poland; (B.F.); (M.K.-R.); (J.R.)
| | - Jacek Rysz
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Lodz, Poland; (B.F.); (M.K.-R.); (J.R.)
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