1
|
Shaw J, Patra A, Khatun A, Ray R, Ghosh A, Mahapatra S, Panigrahi A, Bhattacharyya M. Alpha globin gene alterations modifying the phenotype of homozygous beta thalassaemia. EJHAEM 2024; 5:440-446. [PMID: 38895064 PMCID: PMC11182400 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The phenotype of β-thalassemia varies widely. The primary determinant is the type of beta-globin gene mutation; however, there are secondary and tertiary modifiers also as associated alpha mutations, polymorphisms, as well as coinheritance of mutations affecting other related systems. Co-inheritance of alpha thalassemia mutations is known to ameliorate the severity of HbE-β thalassemia. However, the role of alpha globin gene alterations (deletions and triplication) is not well illustrated in homozygous β-thalassemia. Here we evaluated the role of alpha globin gene alterations in 122 β-thalassemia patients having IVS1-5 (G > C) homozygous mutation. β-thalassemia mutations were detected by ARMS PCR and alpha mutations by GAP-PCR. Gene expression by qRT-PCR. Out of 122 cases, 15 patients had alpha 3.7 triplications (ααα3.7anti), 24 had alpha 3.7 kb deletion (-α3.7) mutation and three patients had 4.2 kb deletion (-α4.2). Patients were divided into two groups, requiring less than 8 units (NTDT) and more than 8 units (TDT) of blood transfusion per year (≥8U BT/year). The percentage of alpha deletion was significantly (p = 0.0042) high in NTDT (42.1%) as compared with TDT (13.2%). Conversely, the proportion of alpha triplication is high in the TDT as compared with NTDT. Even mean serum ferritin level was found to be significantly high in patients having alpha triplication as compared with those having alpha deletions (p = 0.0184) and normal alpha gene (p = 0.0003). α/β globin ratio was highest in TDT patients with alpha triplication and lowest in NTDT patients with alpha-del. The results show that concurrent inheritance of alpha gene alterations influences the phenotypic severity of homozygous β-thalassemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Shaw
- Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (IHTM)MCHKolkataIndia
| | - Abhilipsa Patra
- Department of PhysiologyAll India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)BhubaneswarIndia
| | - Anjumana Khatun
- Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (IHTM)MCHKolkataIndia
| | - Rudra Ray
- Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (IHTM)MCHKolkataIndia
| | - Amit Ghosh
- Department of PhysiologyAll India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)BhubaneswarIndia
| | - Sonali Mahapatra
- Medical Oncology and HematologyAll India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)BhubaneswarIndia
| | - Ashutosh Panigrahi
- Medical Oncology and HematologyAll India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)BhubaneswarIndia
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bonello-Palot N, Benoit A, Agouti I, Hamouda I, Brousse V, Badens C. Transfusion requirements and complication rate in β-thalassemia intermedia due to heterozygous β-globin gene mutation and triplicated α-globin genes. Eur J Haematol 2023; 111:742-747. [PMID: 37519097 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The heterozygous condition for β-thalassemia mutation associated with an extra functional α-globin gene can produce a Thalassemia Intermedia (TI) phenotype. This genotype is the second in frequency in the French Thalassemia Registry NaThalY that prospectively collects laboratory and clinical data. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present report analyses transfusion needs, iron overload (ferritin, hepatic and cardiac iron concentrations), and complication rates in 45 patients included in NaThalY and presenting a heterozygous β0 or β+ -thalassemia mutation associated with a triplication at HBA locus. This cohort was compared to a cohort of patients with TI due to mutations in the beta-globin gene only and included in the French registry. RESULTS Patients with an extra functional α-globin gene showed a less severe anemia, lower transfusion needs and lower complication rates than those with TI related to the β-globin gene only. Nevertheless, some of them displayed complications such as cholelithiasis or extramedullary hematopoiesis. In addition, one third of the cohort needed transfusions and another third was under iron chelation. CONCLUSION The genotype associating a heterozygous β0 or β+ -thalassemia mutation with a triplication at HBA locus should be accurately diagnosed as it could lead to symptomatic anemia and to potential iron overload and iron-related complications even in patients with no transfusion need.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Bonello-Palot
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, MMG, AP-HM, Marseille, France
- Registre NaThalY, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | | | - Imane Agouti
- Centre de référence des maladies rares du globule rouge, Service d'hémato-oncologie pédiatrique, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | - Ilyes Hamouda
- Aix Marseille Univ, Service de recherche clinique et de statistique, Marseille, France
| | | | - Catherine Badens
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, MMG, AP-HM, Marseille, France
- Registre NaThalY, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xie X, Gan J, Liu Z, Zhou Y, Yuan K, Chen Z, Chen S, Zhou R, Liu L, Huang X, Zhang Y, Liu Q, Zhang W, Huang J, Chen J. Prevalence and genetic analysis of triplicated α-globin gene in Ganzhou region using high-throughput sequencing. Front Genet 2023; 14:1267892. [PMID: 37928241 PMCID: PMC10620506 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1267892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
α-globin gene triplication carriers were not anemic in general, while some studies found that α-globin gene triplication coinherited with heterozygous β-thalassemia may cause adverse clinical symptoms, which yet lacks sufficient evidence in large populations. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and distribution of α-globin gene triplication as well as the phenotypic characteristics of α-globin gene triplication coinherited with heterozygous β-thalassemia in Ganzhou city, southern China. During 2021-2022, a total of 73,967 random individuals who received routine health examinations before marriage were genotyped for globin gene mutations by high-throughput sequencing. Among them, 1,443 were α-globin gene triplication carriers, with a carrier rate of 1.95%. The most prevalent mutation was αααanti3.7/αα (43.10%), followed by αααanti4.2/αα (38.12%). 42 individuals had coinherited α-globin gene triplication and heterozygous β-thalassemia. However, they did not differ from the individuals with heterozygous β-thalassemia and normal α-globin (αα/αα) in terms of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) levels. In addition, heterogenous clinical phenotypes were found in two individuals with the same genotype. Our study established a database of Ganzhou α-globin gene triplication and provided practical advice for the clinical diagnosis of α-globin gene triplication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinxing Xie
- Ganzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jinhui Gan
- Ganzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zezhang Liu
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen, China
- Clin Lab, BGI Genomics, Wuhan, China
| | - Yulian Zhou
- Dayu Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Kun Yuan
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen, China
- Clin Lab, BGI Genomics, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhigang Chen
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen, China
- Clin Lab, BGI Genomics, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Rui Zhou
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen, China
- Clin Lab, BGI Genomics, Wuhan, China
| | - Lipei Liu
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen, China
- Clin Lab, BGI Genomics, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Yan Zhang
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen, China
- Clin Lab, BGI Genomics, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Liu
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen, China
- Clin Lab, BGI Genomics, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenqian Zhang
- BGI Genomics, Shenzhen, China
- Clin Lab, BGI Genomics, Wuhan, China
| | - Jungao Huang
- Ganzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| | - Junkun Chen
- Ganzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Diamantidis MD, Karanikola RA, Polyzoudi C, Delicou S, Manafas A, Savera H, Xydaki A, Kotsiafti A, Tsangalas E, Ikonomou G, Mani E, Ntoulas K, Alexiou E, Argyrakouli I, Koskinas J, Fotiou P. Clinical significance of mutational variants in beta and alpha genes in patients with hemoglobinopathies from two large Greek centers: a complex interplay between genotype and phenotype. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:1073-1082. [PMID: 37420139 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02342-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Hemoglobinopathies affect patients in the wider Mediterranean area consisting of 4 distinct subgroups: beta thalassemia major (TM), beta thalassemia intermedia (TI), sickle cell disease (SCD) and hemoglobin H disease (alpha thalassemia). The clinical spectrum varies from mild to severe. Complex interactions between genes and environmental factors form the clinical manifestations. There is an unmet need to clarify these multifactorial mechanisms. This is the first Greek study describing mutational alleles (HBB and HBA1/HBA2 gene variants) in 217 patients with hemoglobinopathies of two large centers in Greece (Larissa and Athens) and associating particular genotypes or gene variants with clinical manifestations (transfusion frequency, complications). Thus, the complex interplay between corresponding genotypes and phenotypes was investigated. Our results are in accordance with previous national studies with limited variations, due to regional prevalence of specific gene variants, as expected. It is also a description of the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in the Greek population. The type and prevalence of beta and alpha globin gene variants differ significantly among countries. We also confirm the well-known observation of many studies that in our beta thalassemic or SCD patients, co-inheritance of variants in the alpha globin genes, leading to absence or reduction of alpha globin synthesis were associated with milder clinical course, whereas the inheritance of additional alpha genes (triplication) led to a more severe clinical phenotype. In cases in whom the genotype and phenotype did not correlate, factors like the function or modification of possible regulatory genes or additional nutritional-environmental effects should be investigated. KEY MESSAGES: • This is the first Greek study, fully molecularly defining the beta and alpha mutational alleles in 217 patients with hemoglobinopathies of two large centers in Greece and correlating particular genotypes or gene variants with clinical manifestations (transfusion frequency, complications). • In the beta thalassemic or SCD patients of our cohort, co-inheritance of variants in the alpha globin genes, leading to absence or reduction of alpha globin synthesis were associated with milder clinical course (confirmation of a well-known previous observation). • The inheritance of additional alpha genes (triplication) led to a more severe clinical phenotype (confirmation of a well known previous observation). • The function or modification of possible regulatory genes should be investigated in cases in whom the genotype and phenotype did not correlate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Diamantidis
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Rebecca-Anastasia Karanikola
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Chrysoula Polyzoudi
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Sophia Delicou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Achilles Manafas
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Helen Savera
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Xydaki
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angeliki Kotsiafti
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Tsangalas
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Georgia Ikonomou
- Thalassemia Prevention Unit, General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Eirini Mani
- Thalassemia Prevention Unit, General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Ntoulas
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Evangelos Alexiou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - Ioanna Argyrakouli
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| | - John Koskinas
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Fotiou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Unit, Department of Hematology, First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Larissa, Tsakalov St. 1, 41 221, Larissa, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ropero P, González Fernández FA, Nieto JM, Torres-Jiménez WM, Benavente C. β-Thalassemia Intermedia: Interaction of α-Globin Gene Triplication With β-thalassemia Heterozygous in Spain. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:866396. [PMID: 35402459 PMCID: PMC8985499 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.866396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To verify with hematimetric data that the diagnosis and clinical grade of β-TI can be established when a triplication of alpha genes (αααanti 3.7) and heterozygous β-thalassemia coexist. Materials and Methods Retrospective study in which 73 patients of Caucasian origin participated, who simultaneously showed a triplication or quadruplication of genes α and β-thalassemia. Screening for the most frequent α-thalassemia mutations as well as gene triplication (αααanti 3.7) was carried out by multiplex PCR followed by reverse hybridization with a commercial Alpha-Globin StripAssay kit and confirmed by MLPA (Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification). The molecular diagnosis of β-thalassemia was carried out by automatic sequencing according to the Sanger method. Results The genotypes have been classified into three groups according to the number of α globin genes and the severity of the alteration in the β globin gene. All had a mutation in the HBB gene (β0-thalassemia, β+-thalassemia severe, and β+-thalassemia mild). Group I patients who have coherent 6 α genes and groups II and III with 5 α globin genes. In group III, the patients were carriers of mutations affecting the β and δ globin genes. The most significant hematological parameters were hemoglobin levels, MCV, RDW, and the percentage of Hb F. Conclusions In group I, regardless of the distribution of the 6 α globin genes, homozygous triplication (ααα/ααα) or heterozygous quadruplication (αααα/αα), the association with heterozygous β-thalassemia results in severe to moderate anemia that may or may not require transfusion therapy, is the severity of the HBB gene mutation that would determine the clinical variation. Group II patients phenotypically behaved like mild thalassemia intermedia, except for one case that presented thalassemic trait because it also presented an associated α-thalassemia (ααα/-α3.7). Finally, group III patients behaved as a thalassemic trait since all were carriers of mutations that increase the overexpression of γ genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Ropero
- Hematology Service, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Paloma Ropero
| | | | - Jorge M. Nieto
- Hematology Service, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hamid M, keikhaei B, Galehdari H, Saberi A, Sedaghat A, Shariati G, Mohammadi‐Anaei M. Alpha-globin gene triplication and its effect in beta-thalassemia carrier, sickle cell trait, and healthy individual. EJHAEM 2021; 2:366-374. [PMID: 35844714 PMCID: PMC9175967 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The genotype and phenotype correlation between coinheritance of heterozygous beta-thalassemia with the alpha-globin triplication is unclear. In this study we have investigated and reviewed alpha triplication frequency in beta-thalassemia carriers, sickle cell trait, and healthy individuals and its effect on hematological and phenotypical changes. In this study, 4005 beta-thalassemia carriers, 455 sickle cell trait, and 2000 healthy individuals were included. Molecular characterization of beta and alpha-thalassemia was performed. The frequencies of alpha-globin triplication in beta-thalassemia carriers, sickle cell trait, and healthy individuals were 67 (1.67%), 4 (0.88%), and 18 (0.9%), respectively. In total, the frequency of alpha-triplications is approximately 89 (1.39%) in Khuzestan province, South of Iran population. We have compared the average hematological parameters of beta-thalassemia carriers, sickle cell trait, and healthy individuals with and without alpha gene triplication. This mutation did not show any significant effect on the change of blood indices, neither in healthy individuals nor in sickle cell trait and beta-thalassemia carriers. Therefore, there is no need to take more notice of anti 3.7 mutation in beta-thalassemia carriers is opposed with some studies reported that the presence of excess alpha-globin genes in beta-thalassemia carriers can lead to the phenotype of beta-thalassemia intermedia. Therefore, not every individual with triplicated alpha globin coinherited with beta-thalassemia trait will have a significantly lower Hb than normal, and it is highly likely that none of them will need transfusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hamid
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Biotechnology Research CenterPasteur Institute of IranTehranIran
| | - Bijan keikhaei
- Research Center for Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy, Health InstituteAhvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesAhvazIran
| | - Hamid Galehdari
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of SciencesShahid Chamran University of AhvazAhvazIran
| | - Alihossein Saberi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of MedicineAhvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesAhvazIran
| | - Alireza Sedaghat
- Department of EndocrinologyAhvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesAhvazIran
| | - Gholamreza Shariati
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of MedicineAhvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesAhvazIran
- Narges Medical Genetics and PND LaboratoryAhvazIran
| | | |
Collapse
|