Identification of differentially expressed genes induced by hydroxyurea in reticulocytes from sickle cell anaemia patients.

1. The major effect associated with hydroxyurea (HU) treatment of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients is an increase in fetal haemoglobin (HbF) synthesis, which inhibits the polymerization of haemoglobin S. 2. Hydroxyurea improves clinical symptoms by reducing the frequency of pain and vaso-occlusive crises, acute chest syndrome, transfusion requirements and hospitalization. 3. The molecular mechanisms responsible for HU-mediated induction of fetal globin transcription are not completely understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify differentially expressed genes participating in these mechanisms. 4. We established two suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) libraries from reticulocytes obtained from SCA patients either not on or on HU treatment. The gene expression of some of the genes identified was subsequently evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). 5. Genes identified with altered expression included SUDS3, FZD5 and PHC3, which may be associated with the regulation of globin expression. 6. This is the first demonstration of an association between HU treatment and the expression of genes identified in erythroid cells.