The clinical significance of serum anti-heat-shock protein 27 antibody levels in β-thalassemia patients

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to measure serum anti-heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27) antibody levels in β-thalassemia patients and to assess the potential associations with the clinical and laboratory characteristics in these patients. Background β-Thalassemia syndromes are one of the most common quantitative hemoglobinopathies. HSP27 is a protein that is produced by the cells as a result of exposure to oxidative stress. Anti-HSP27 antibodies are formed as a result of autoimmune response against HSP27 and they are responsible for the pathogenesis of various disorders. Patients and methods In this study, we analyzed serum anti-HSP27 antibody levels in 60 β-thalassemia patients (30 β-thalassemia major and 30 β-thalassemia intermedia patients) who were recruited from the Pediatric Department, Menoufia University Hospitals, in the period between January 2016 and May 2016. In addition, 30 healthy children matched for age and sex were included as controls. Results Significantly higher serum levels of anti-HSP27 antibodies were found in β-thalassemia patients compared with the controls (P Conclusion Serum anti-HSP27 antibody may be a useful biomarker of oxidative stress in patients with β-thalassemia.