Hemaglobinopathies Flashcards
Where are the genes for globin located?
alpha globin clusters- 16p13.3 (zeta, pseudozeta, alpha1, alpha2)
beta gene cluster- 11.p15.5 (epsilon, two gammas, delta, beta)
List the structure of each kind of human hemaglobin.
HbA- alpha2; beta2 HbA2- alpha2;delta2 HbF- alpha2;gamma2 HbH- beta4 (abnormal) HbBart- gamma4 (abnormal)
What labs are used to evaluate hemoglobinopathies?
- CBC (shows amount of Hb in blood and gives MCV showing microcytosis and macrocytosis)
- sequencing of alpha and beta globin genes
- Hb electrophoresis
- Isoelectric focusing
- HPLC (NBS)
What are the possible results on HPLC and what do they indicate?
F>A: normal
F>A>S: sickle cell trait
F>S>A: sickle cell disease
What are the divisions of hemaglobinopathies?
quantitative (thalassemias)
qualitative (abnormal hemoglobins- HbS, Hbe, HbC, etc)
What are the possible thalassemia genotypes?
alpha thalassemia- deficiency in alpha globin production
beta thalassemia- deficiency in beta globin production
delta beta thalassemia- deficiency in delta and beta globin production
What are the possible thalassemia phenotypes?
minor/trait- asymptomatic
intermedia- moderate symptoms; some need transfusion
major- severe; transfusion dependent
Describe the general disease pathology of thalassemias.
decreased globin production imbalance in globin production excessive globin precipitates hemolysis ineffective erythropoiesis anemia, bone marrow expansion, extramedullary hematopoiesis (spleen and liver), increased iron absorption
Describe alpha thalassemia in general.
don’t make enough alpha globin –> too much beta, gamma, and delta globin so they pair with each other to produce excessive HbH and HbBart which are abnormal and disruptive
normally caused by deletions
What are the genotypes and phenotypes of alpha thalassemias?
normal= 4 functional genes
silent carrier= 3 functional genes
alpha thalassemia trait= 2 functional genes (cis or trans)
HbH disease= 1 functional gene
Barts/Hydrops Fetalis= no functional gene (not compatible with life)
Describe Alpha Thal Silent Carrier.
small DNA deletions removing 1 alpha gene (R or L cross-over results in one copy with one alpha gene and the other with three copies of the alpha gene)
completely asymptomatic
Describe Alpha Thalassemia Trait.
loss of 2 alpha globin genes
Asia: equal cis and trans
Africa: most all trans
in neonatal period can be diagnosed by excess HbBarts
once older HbH in small quantities (though may not be detected because it is too unstable)
presents with mild anemia, hypochromia, microcytosis
often mistaken for iron deficiency anemia (but will not respond to iron replacement)
otherwise asymptomatic
need counseling about inheritance risks (depending on whether cis or trans)
Describe HbH disease.
loss of 3 alpha genes –> thalasemia intermedia
excessive HbBart (neonatal) and HbH (older)
unstable hemaglobin –> hemolytic picture
moderate anemia and microcytosis
variable clinical presentation and therapeutic needs
Describe Hb Constant Spring.
HbH variant genotype --/alphaCS,alpha phenotype intermedia mutation in stop codon --> 31 aa longer --> unstable alpha globin chain prevalent in SE Asia present with a more severe phenotype
Describe HbBarts/Hyrdops Fetalis.
complete absence of alpha globin
incompatible with life
high levels of HbH and HbBarts
intrauterine transfusions with postnatal chronic transfusions and SCT are being utilized but not common practice
How are thalassemias related to intellectual disability?
ATR16: large deletions in 16p13.3
ATRX syndrome: point mutation in ATRX gene at Xq13.3
classic facial features include hypertelorism and broad nasal bridge
Describe beta thalassemias in general.
beta globin production decreased/variable percent (beta+) or absent (beta0) but alpha can still bind to delta or gamma globin which increases HbF and/or HbA2
problems begin around 6 months of age (transition from HbF to HbA dependent)
mostly point mutations (not deletions)
What are the phenotype/genotypes of beta thalassemias?
normal= beta beta
beta thalassemia trait= beta/beta0 or beta/beta+
beta thalassemia intermedia= beta+/beta+ or beta+/beta0 or betaE/beta+ or betaE/beta0
beta thalassemia major (Cooley’s anemia)= beta0/beta0
Describe beta thalassemia trait.
beta/beta0 or beta/beta+
asymptomatic
mild anemia, mild hypochromia, mild microcytosis
increased HbF and HbA2
often misdiagnosed as iron deficiency because it can mimic or mask it on hemoglobin electrophoresis (both will show falsely normal or low HbA2)
treat iron deficiency first to rule out