BIOCHEMICAL AND GENETICAL ANALYSIS OF CELL ADHESION AND VASCULAR GROWTH PATHWAYS: ASSOCIATION WITH SICKLE CELL RETINOPATHY DEVELOPMENT

• Grant number: 09/15219-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2010
• End date: February 29, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Mônica Barbosa de Melo
• Grantee: Pedro Rodrigues Sousa da Cruz
• Host Institution: Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética (CBMEG). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 08/57441-0 - Clinical, cellular and molecular alterations in hemoglobinopathies and other hereditary hemolytic anemias, AP.TEM

Abstract

Sickle cell disease are characterized by the presence of hemoglobin S (HbS), which favors the formation of sickled red cells through its polymerization in deoxygenated state. Homozygous individuals for the allele of hemoglobin S are affected by sickle cell anemia, while heterozygotes individuals may develop other sickle cell diseases (especially hemoglobin SC) or on sickle cell trait (Hb).The sickle erythrocytes have a higher tendency to adhere to vascular endothelium, resulting in vascular obstruction and hypoxia, which in turn generates systemic tissue damage.Sickle cell retinopathy is an eye disorder derived from vaso-occlusion in the microvasculature of the retina leading to its hypoxia and neovascularization, which can lead to vision loss. In addition to vascular obstruction by abnormal red blood cells, other factors such as activation of the endothelium, leukocyte action, blood viscosity and expression of angiogenic factors contribute to the pathophysiology of sickle cell retinopathy.Thus, the study of proteins involved in the balance between angiogenesis and its inhibition, as well as those related to the adhesion of sickled RBCs to vascular endothelium could be helpful in understanding the mechanisms of origin and evolution of sickle cell retinopathy.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CRUZ, P. R. S.; LIRA, R. P. C.; PEREIRA FILHO, S. A. C.; SOUZA, B. B.; MITSUUSHI, F. N.; MENAA, F.; FERTRIN, K. Y.; VASCONCELLOS, J. P. C.; CONRAN, N.; COSTA, F. F.; et al. Increased circulating PEDF and low sICAM-1 are associated with sickle cell retinopathy. BLOOD CELLS MOLECULES AND DISEASES, v. 54, n. 1, p. 33-37, JAN 2015. (09/15219-2, 08/57441-0)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CRUZ, Pedro Rodrigues Sousa da. Genetic and biochemical analysis of cell adhesion and vascular growth pathways: association with sickle cell retinopathy development. 2012. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia Campinas, SP.