α-Thalassemia represents one of the most important genetic modulators of β-hemoglobinopathies. During this last decade, the ongoing interest in characterizing genotype-phenotype relationships has yielded incredible insights into α-globin gene regulation and its impact on β-hemoglobinopathies. In this review, we provide a holistic update on α-globin gene expression stemming from DNA to RNA to protein, as well as epigenetic mechanisms that can impact gene expression and potentially influence phenotypic outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBest Pract Res Clin Haematol
December 2023
The bone marrow failure syndromes (BMFS) are a diverse group of acquired and inherited diseases which may manifest in cytopenias, haematological malignancy and/or syndromic multisystem disease. Patients with BMFS frequently experience poor outcomes, and improved treatment strategies are needed. Collation of clinical characteristics and patient outcomes in a national disease-specific registry represents a powerful tool to identify areas of need and support clinical and research collaboration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in patients with haematological neoplasms has been associated with increased mortality; however, many studies in this patient group were reported early in the pandemic. The authors evaluated outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients with haematological conditions following widespread vaccination, newer viral variants and increasingly effective antiviral therapies. A 4% mortality rate was found and contemporary risk factors for hospitalisation including older age, nonvaccination or partial COVID-19 vaccination status and infection with non-Omicron strain were identified.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBeta-thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder characterised by ineffective erythropoiesis and anaemia. Consequently, hepcidin expression is reduced resulting in increased iron absorption and primary iron overload. Hepcidin is under the negative control of transmembrane serine protease 6 (TMPRSS6) via cleavage of haemojuvelin (HJV), a co-receptor for the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-mothers against decapentaplegic homologue (SMAD) signalling pathway.
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