A Potential Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease

A hereditary blood disorder, known as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) or Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) transforms blood cells into a ‘sickle’ shape, which is a cause of disruptions in the natural circulation of blood. This mutation of the red blood cells is highly dangerous for the patients suffering from SCD; it not only makes the patient anemic, but also reduces the lifespan.

SCD changes the shape of the cells from ‘disc-like’ to ‘sickle’, when the DNA of an infant sends a signal to transform the hemoglobin from ‘fetal’ to ‘adult’.  Therefore, Sickle Cell disorder is genetic.

Research in the Hematology (the study of blood) has revealed that the chances of an individual being affected by SCD can be minimized. An experiment was done on adult mice with the help of a specialized tool showed some positive results. The specialized tool used in this research genetically engineered zinc finger (ZF) protein, which they custom-designed to latch onto a specific DNA site carrying the code for fetal hemoglobin. They attached the ZF to another protein that forced a chromatin loop to form. The loop then activated gene expression that produced embryonic hemoglobin in blood-forming cells from adult mice. 

This research had the same results when done on human blood.  Researchers will continue with the investigation aimed at reaching toward clinical application.

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