Prospective Evaluation of Fetal Haemoglobin Induction in Maternal Erythrocytes: A Preliminary Analysis of a Cohort of 345 Parturients

• Published in: Blood 2015-12, Vol.126 (23), p.3370-3370
• Main Authors: Gaudreau, Pierre-Olivier, Weng, Xiaoduan, Brillant, Marilyn, Newmarch, Michael, Lettre, Guillaume, Mahone, Michele, Weber, Florence, Bedard, Marie-Josee, Masse, Andre, Stagg, John, Lavallee, Vincent-Philippe, Soulieres, Denis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood.V126.23.3370.3370

Introduction. The mechanisms of haemoglobin (Hb) subtype switch remain largely unknown even though it has a therapeutic potential (Bauer et al., 2012). In fact, reactivation of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) production in adult erythrocytes (F-cells) is protective in many Hb disorders. Pregnancy may represent the only physiological condition where HbF production increases transiently (Ibrahim et al, 2009; Yamada et al., 2012). Moreover, flow cytometry (FC), by intracellular staining using anti-HbF antibodies, has improved the evaluation of maternal F-cells (Corcoran et al., 2014; Chen et al., 2000). In this study, the objectives are: 1) to document HbF expression prospectively peri- and post-partum and confirm its maternal origin; 2) to assess potential causes of HbF modulation throughout pregnancy (i.e. β-hCG, EPO) and; 3) to identify gene differences between HbF-positive and HbF-negative pregnant women. Methods. In this observational, single institution, prospective study, 879 pregnant women were screened. A total of 345 participants were included in the study: the first consecutive 176 women with negative total HbF expression (