Thalidomide is more efficient than sodium butyrate in enhancing GATA-1 and EKLF gene expression in erythroid progenitors derived from HSCs with β-globin gene mutation
Jalali Far، Mohammad Ali نويسنده Health Research Institute, Research Center of Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran , , Dehghani Fard، Ali نويسنده Sarem Cell Research Center (SCRC), Sarem Women’s Hospital, Tehran, Iran , , Hajizamani، Saiedeh نويسنده DiagnosticLaboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Hajizamani, Saiedeh , Mossahebi-Mohammadi، Majid نويسنده Department of Stem Cell Biology, Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Tehran, Iran , , Yaghooti، Hamid نويسنده Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences , , Saki، Najmaldin نويسنده Department of Hematology and Blood Banking School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran ,
Background: Efficient induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is considered as an effective therapeutic approach in beta thalassemia. HbF inducer agents can induce the expression of γ-globin gene and produce high levels of HbF via different epigenetic and molecular mechanisms. Thalidomide and sodium butyrate are known as HbF inducer drugs.
Material and methods: CD133+ stem cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood of a newborn with minor β-thalassemia in order to evaluate the effects of these two drugs on the in vitro expression of GATA-1 and EKLF genes as erythroid transcription factors. CD133+ stem cells were expanded and differentiated into erythroid lineage, and then treated with thalidomide and sodium butyrate and finally analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using student’s t-test by SPSS software.
Results: Thalidomide and sodium butyrate increased GATA-1 and EKLF gene expression, compared to the non-treated control (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Thalidomide was more efficient than sodium butyrate in augmenting expression of GATA-1 and EKLF genes. It seems that GATA-1 and EKLF have crucial roles in the efficient induction of HbF by thalidomide.