Genotyping and mating programmed for genetically modified animal production with sickle cell anemia and persistence of fetal hemoglobin after birth

• Grant number: 18/04581-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2018
• End date: March 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Ferreira Costa
• Grantee: Guilherme Bezerra Luciano
• Host Institution: Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia (HEMOCENTRO). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/00984-3 - Red blood cell disorders: pathophysiology and new therapeutic approaches, AP.TEM

Abstract

In recent decades, studies have shown that increasing HbF levels plays an important role in improving the symptomatology of patients with sickle cell anemia. In the interaction of HbSS / PHHF F-cells have low concentrations of HbS, which inhibits the polymerization of HbS as well as the triggering of erythrocyte falcization. Studies in animals have shown that high levels of HbF improve the anemia characteristic of sickle cell disease. Thus, animal models for the study of sickle-cell anemia with persistent fetal hemoglobin expression after birth may help in the study of this protective mechanism. The main idea of this project will be to develop an animal for studies of sickle cell anemia with the persistent expression of HbF. For this, two transgenic lines will be used, one with sickle cell anemia and the other with characteristics of fetal persistence. In order to obtain the desired animal model, programmed mating between lineages will be performed. Following the genetic profile the animals will be selected and a series of genetic modifications will be maintained throughout the mating. (AU)