Hydroxyurea induces fetal hemoglobin by the nitric oxide-dependent activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase.

J Clin Invest

Laboratory of Chemical Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Published: January 2003

Hydroxyurea treatment of patients with sickle-cell disease increases fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which reduces hemoglobin S polymerization and clinical complications. Despite its use in the treatment of myeloproliferative diseases for over 30 years, its mechanism of action remains uncertain. Recent studies have demonstrated that hydroxyurea generates the nitric oxide (NO) radical in vivo, and we therefore hypothesized that NO-donor properties might determine the hemoglobin phenotype. We treated both K562 erythroleukemic cells and human erythroid progenitor cells with S-nitrosocysteine (CysNO), an NO donor, and found similar dose- and time-dependent induction of gamma-globin mRNA and HbF protein as we observed with hydroxyurea. Both hydroxyurea and CysNO increased cGMP levels, and the guanylyl cyclase inhibitors ODQ, NS 2028, and LY 83,538 abolished both the hydroxyurea- and CysNO-induced gamma-globin expression. These data provide strong evidence for an NO-derived mechanism for HbF induction by hydroxyurea and suggest possibilities for therapies based on NO-releasing or -potentiating agents.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC151872PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1172/JCI16672DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

fetal hemoglobin
8
guanylyl cyclase
8
hydroxyurea
6
hydroxyurea induces
4
induces fetal
4
hemoglobin
4
hemoglobin nitric
4
nitric oxide-dependent
4
oxide-dependent activation
4
activation soluble
4

Similar Publications

Background: δβ-thalassemia/HPFH is an uncommon hemoglobinopathy characterized by decreased or the total absence of production of δ- and β-globin and increased HbF levels. Both these disorders have variable genotype and phenotype, but significant overlap in the clinical and laboratory findings. Given the lack of literature in this regard, the study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the disease and evaluate its clinical, hematological, and molecular profile in India.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Gene therapy for sickle cell disease: recent advances, clinical trials and future directions.

Cytotherapy

December 2024

Molecular and Clinical Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder worldwide, impacting millions and imposing severe healthcare challenges, particularly in resource-limited regions. Current treatments have variable efficacy and require lifelong adherence. Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation can be curative but comes with significant side effects and limited donor availability limits its widespread applicability.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent inherited blood disorder, particularly affecting populations in Africa. This review examined the disease's burden, its diverse clinical presentations, and the challenges associated with its management in African settings. Africa bears a significant burden of SCD, with prevalence varying across countries and age groups.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Effects of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Fetal Cardiac Morphology.

Med Sci (Basel)

December 2024

Department of Perinatology, Ege University, İzmir 35000, Turkey.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the possible effects of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on fetal heart structure and the relationship of this effect with maternal blood sugar control.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 19 women with GDM at 24-36 weeks of gestation (case group) and 21 healthy pregnant women at the same weeks of gestation (control group) were examined. Fetal heart structure was evaluated by ultrasonography; interventricular septum (IVS) thickness, right and left ventricular sphericity indices, global sphericity index (GSI) and cardio-thoracic ratio were also measured.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Cholesterol is essential for pregnant women to maintain maternal health and fetal support development. This study aimed to assess the cholesterol intake of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and to explore its effects on blood glucose and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: This prospective cohort study collected dietary data using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) administered during the 24-30 gestational weeks (first survey) and the 34-42 gestational weeks (second survey).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!