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Trucas M, Burattini S, Porcu S, Simbula M, Ristaldi MS, Kowalik MA, Serra MP, Gobbi P, Battistelli M, Perra A, Quartu M. Multi-Organ Morphological Findings in a Humanized Murine Model of Sickle Cell Trait. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10452. [PMID: 37445630 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by the homozygous beta-globin gene mutation that can lead to ischemic multi-organ damage and consequently reduce life expectancy. On the other hand, sickle cell trait (SCT), the heterozygous beta-globin gene mutation, is still considered a benign condition. Although the mechanisms are not well understood, clinical evidence has recently shown that specific pathological symptoms can also be recognized in SCT carriers. So far, there are still scant data regarding the morphological modifications referable to possible multi-organ damage in the SCT condition. Therefore, after genotypic and hematological characterization, by conventional light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we investigated the presence of tissue alterations in 13 heterozygous Townes mice, one of the best-known animal models that, up to now, was used only for the study of the homozygous condition. We found that endothelial alterations, as among which the thickening of vessel basal lamina, are ubiquitous in the lung, liver, kidney, and spleen of SCT carrier mice. The lung shows the most significant alterations, with a distortion of the general tissue architecture, while the heart is the least affected. Collectively, our findings contribute novel data to the histopathological modifications at microscopic and ultrastructural levels, underlying the heterozygous beta-globin gene mutation, and indicate the translational suitability of the Townes model to characterize the features of multiple organ involvement in the SCT carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Trucas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sabrina Burattini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Campus Scientifico "Enrico Mattei", University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Ca' le Suore 2-Località Crocicchia, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Susanna Porcu
- Italian National Research Council (CNR)-IRGB, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Michela Simbula
- Italian National Research Council (CNR)-IRGB, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Maria Serafina Ristaldi
- Italian National Research Council (CNR)-IRGB, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marta Anna Kowalik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Pietro Gobbi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Campus Scientifico "Enrico Mattei", University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Ca' le Suore 2-Località Crocicchia, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Michela Battistelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Campus Scientifico "Enrico Mattei", University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Ca' le Suore 2-Località Crocicchia, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Andrea Perra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Marina Quartu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
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Reminy K, Ngo Sock ET, Romana M, Connes P, Ravion S, Henri S, Hue O, Hardy-Dessources MD, Antoine-Jonville S. Strenuous exercise in warm environment is associated with improved microvascular function in sickle cell trait. Eur J Appl Physiol 2021; 122:185-197. [PMID: 34633508 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-021-04821-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sickle cell trait is characterized by the presence of both normal and abnormal haemoglobin in red blood cells. The rate of exertional collapse is increased in athletes and military recruits who carry the trait, particularly in stressful environmental conditions. The aim of the present study was to investigate microvascular function and its determinants in response to intense exercise at control and warm environmental temperatures in carriers (AS) and non-carriers (AA) of sickle cell trait. METHODS Nine AS and 11 AA, all healthy physically active young men, randomly participated in four experimental sessions (rest at 21 °C and 31 °C and cycling at 21 °C and 31 °C). All participants performed three exercises bouts as follows: 18-min submaximal exercise; an incremental test to exhaustion; and three 30-s sprints spaced with 20-s resting intervals. RESULTS Skin Blood Flow (SkBF) was similar at rest between AA and AS. SkBF for all participants was higher at 31 °C than 21 °C. It was significantly higher in the AS group compared to the AA group immediately after exercise, regardless of the environmental conditions. No significant differences in hemorheological parameters, muscle damage or cardiac injury biomarkers were observed between the two groups. Our data also suggest higher oxidative stress for the AS group, with high superoxide dismutase (P = 0.044 main group effect). CONCLUSION A specific profile is identified in the AS population, with increased microvascular reactivity after maximal exercise in stressful environment and slight pro-/antioxidant imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Reminy
- Adaptation To Tropical Climate and Exercise Laboratory, EA3596, University of the French West Indies, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France
| | - E T Ngo Sock
- Adaptation To Tropical Climate and Exercise Laboratory, EA3596, University of the French West Indies, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France
| | - M Romana
- UMR_S1134, BIGR, University of the French West Indies, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence du Globule Rouge (Labex GR-Ex), PRES Sorbonne, Paris, France
| | - P Connes
- (LIBM) EA7424, Biology and Red Blood Cell, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence du Globule Rouge (Labex GR-Ex), PRES Sorbonne, Paris, France
| | - S Ravion
- UMR_S1134, BIGR, University of the French West Indies, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France
| | - S Henri
- Adaptation To Tropical Climate and Exercise Laboratory, EA3596, University of the French West Indies, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France
| | - O Hue
- Adaptation To Tropical Climate and Exercise Laboratory, EA3596, University of the French West Indies, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France
| | - M D Hardy-Dessources
- UMR_S1134, BIGR, University of the French West Indies, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence du Globule Rouge (Labex GR-Ex), PRES Sorbonne, Paris, France
| | - S Antoine-Jonville
- Adaptation To Tropical Climate and Exercise Laboratory, EA3596, University of the French West Indies, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, France. .,LAPEC EA4278, Avignon University, 84000, Avignon, France.
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