Abstract
Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Kuwait have elevated HbF levels ranging from ~10–44%; however, the modulating factors are unclear. We investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at BCL11A, HBS1L-MYB and HBB with HbF levels in 237 Kuwaiti SCD patients, divided into 3 subgroups according to their HbF levels. Illumina Ampliseq custom DNA panel was used for genotyping and confirmed by arrayed primer extension or Sanger sequencing. In the BCL11A locus, the CC genotype of rs7606173 [χ2 = 16.5] and (GG) of rs10195871 [χ2 = 15.0] were associated with Hb-F1 and HbF-2 subgroups, unlike rs1427404-T [χ2 = 17.3], which showed the highest association across the three subgroups. HBS1L-MYB locus revealed 2 previously-described SNPs (rs66650371 [χ2 = 9.5] and rs35795442 [χ2 = 9.2]) and 2 previously-unreported SNPs, (rs13220662 [χ2 = 6.2] and rs1406811 [χ2 = 6.7]) that were associated with the HbF-3 subgroup, making this the key locus elevating HbF to the highest levels. HBB cluster variants were associated with lower levels of HbF (β = −1.1). We report four previously-unpublished variants showing significant association with HbF. Each of the three quantitative trait loci affects HbF levels differently; unique SNPs, especially in HBS1L-MYB, elevate HbF to the highest levels.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
