Sideroblastic anemia: a mitochondrial disorder

Erythroid proliferations in myeloid neoplasms

Prominent erythroid proliferations (in which erythroid elements comprise ≥50% of total bone marrow cells) can be seen in various hematopoietic stem cell neoplasms. The myeloproliferative neoplasm polycythemia vera exhibits effective, overexuberant erythropoiesis resulting in an increased red blood cell mass; in contrast, most other diseases characterized by erythroid predominance exhibit ineffective hemopoiesis. The latter include acute erythroid leukemia (erythroid-myeloid and pure erythroid leukemia subtypes) as well as some cases of myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes, and therapy-related myeloid neoplasms. Some nonneoplastic reactive conditions may also manifest a striking bone marrow erythroid predominance. In this article, we review the literature relevant to this group of diseases for a better understanding of their clinicopathologic features and surrounding controversies. We also examine the position of neoplastic erythroid proliferations in the current 2008 World Health Organization Classification of Myeloid Neoplasms and provide recommendations as to how to approach the differential diagnosis of this group of diseases.

Mitochondrial disorders among infants exposed to HIV and antiretroviral therapy

Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, concern has been raised about the possibility that it may cause mitochondrial dysfunction in infants. There is adequate evidence for a mechanism by which exposure to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) could lead to mitochondrial dysfunction; animal studies have shown evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in the offspring of animals treated with NRTIs and mitochondrial disorders occur in adults treated with NRTIs. This systematic review synthesises the published research on mitochondrial dysfunction and disorders in infants exposed to HIV and antiretrovirals. We found conflicting evidence regarding the possible association of in utero ART exposure with mortality and morbidity due to mitochondrial dysfunction. ART exposure in utero or postpartum was associated with persistent decreases in lymphocytes, neutrophils and platelets as well as an increased risk of transient lactic acidaemia, anaemia and mitochondrial DNA depletion, although these laboratory findings were generally not associated with clinical symptoms. We conclude that large, prospective studies of HIV-exposed infants are needed to resolve the discrepant results regarding morbidity and mortality related to mitochondrial disorders, to ascertain the clinical significance of effects on laboratory values, to determine whether or not the incidence of mitochondrial disorders differs by regimen and to develop predictive models that might identify which infants are at the greatest risk. The challenges that remain to be addressed include the development of a sensitive but affordable screening algorithm in combination with specific diagnostic criteria; consistent collection of data on ART exposure and other risk factors, long-term follow-up of HIV-exposed but uninfected children and implementation in resource-limited settings.

Mitochondrial myopathy, sideroblastic anemia, and lactic acidosis: an autosomal recessive syndrome in Persian Jews caused by a mutation in the PUS1 gene

We report the seventh case of autosomal recessive inherited mitochondrial myopathy, lactic acidosis, and sideroblastic anemia The patient, a product of consanguineous Persian Jews, had the association of mental retardation, dysmorphic features, lactic acidosis, myopathy, and sideroblastic anemia. Muscle biopsy demonstrated low activity of complexes 1 and 4 of the respiratory chain. Electron microscopy revealed paracrystalline inclusions in most mitochondria. Southern blot of the mitochondrial DNA did not show any large-scale rearrangements. The patient was found to be homozygous for the 656C-->T mutation in the pseudouridine synthase 1 gene (PUS1). Mitochondrial myopathy, lactic acidosis, and sideroblastic anemia is an oxidative phosphorylation disorder causing sideroblastic anemia, myopathy, and, in some cases, mental retardation that is due to mutations in the nuclear-encoded PUS1 gene. This finding provides additional evidence that mitochondrial ribonucleic acid modification impacts the phenotypic expression of oxidative phosphorylation disorders.

Mitochondrial myopathy and sideroblastic anemia

We report four new cases of mitochondrial myopathy and sideroblastic anemia (MSA). Hallmark features of MSA include progressive exercise intolerance during childhood, onset of sideroblastic anemia around adolescence, basal lactic acidemia, and mitochondrial myopathy. Autosomal recessive inheritance of MSA in the family we describe is assumed due to the presence of two affected sibling pairs, unaffected parents, an unaffected sibling, and parental consanguinity. The nuclear families we describe are paternally related and originate from the same Iranian city as a family with MSA described by [Inbal et al., 1995]. These families provide an opportunity to clarify the molecular basis of tissue specific expression of mitochondrial disorders.

The role of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in a myelodysplastic syndrome secondary to congenital deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4

OBJECTIVE

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by peripheral cytopenia and ineffective hematopoiesis. In adult-onset MDS and in certain inherited marrow failure syndromes, apoptosis is increased and is mediated mainly through activation of the Fas pathway. It is unclear whether the various myelodysplastic disorders share the same apoptosis pathways. I investigated apoptosis pathways in a patient with refractory cytopenia with ring sideroblasts associated with congenital 4p deletion to determine the mechanism for bone marrow failure.

METHODS

Marrow cells and lymphoblast cell lines generated from peripheral blood were analyzed for apoptosis and protein expression by flow cytometry, Western blot, and confocal microscopy, either directly or after gamma irradiation (15 G). Cell viability after treatment with inhibitors of specific apoptosis pathways was also determined.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, the patient's marrow and lymphoblastoid cells showed significantly higher apoptosis rates and activation of caspase-3. Investigation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway showed a consistent pro-apoptosis profile, namely, upregulation of Bax, Bax-alpha, cytochrome c, and Apaf1, and low bcl-2. Differences between the patient's and the normal cells were further accentuated after irradiation; p53 expression was strikingly higher in the patient only after irradiation. In contrast, Fas and FADD expression on the patient's and the control's cells were comparable. Addition of caspase 3 or caspase 9 inhibitors markedly increased patient cell viablity, but blocking anti-Fas antibody did not.

CONCLUSION

The ineffective hematopoiesis in this case is explained by increased apoptosis and is linked to hyperactivation of the mitochondrial cell death machinery and not to the Fas pathway, which might be secondary to an intramitochondrial defect. This information is crucial because the development of anti-apoptotic agents for the treatment of MDS may not be universally efficacious and should target the specific derangement.