Blockade of placental growth factor reduces vaso-occlusive complications in murine models of sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most frequent hemoglobinopathy among the common inherited hematologic disorders in the world [1]. It is a genetic disorder caused by a single amino acid substitution in the beta globin gene, from glutamic acid to valine (E6V) [2]. When sickle hemoglobin is deoxygenated, it polymerizes via hydrophobic interactions introduced by the mutant valine [3]. As a result, red blood cells (RBCs) form a sickle shape, their deformability decreases, and their adhesiveness to the vascular endothelial cells and white blood cells increases [4-7].
Source: Experimental Hematology - Category: Hematology Authors: Source Type: research