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Thrombospondin-1 and Vitamin D in Children With Sickle Cell Anemia
Samuel A Adegoke1,2, Olufemi S Smith3, Adewuyi T Adeniyi2
1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
Insights
Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) show elevated thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and reduced 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), particularly during vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). These biomarkers are inversely correlated in SCA patients experiencing VOC.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Sickle cell anemia (SCA) pathogenesis involves thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD).
- TSP-1 promotes inflammation and vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in SCA.
- Vitamin D (25-OHD) may reduce inflammation and pain episodes in SCA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine serum TSP-1 and 25-OHD levels in Nigerian children with SCA and healthy controls.
- To assess the relationship between TSP-1 and 25-OHD in SCA patients, especially during VOC.
Main Methods:
- Serum TSP-1 and 25-OHD levels were measured using ELISA and HPLC, respectively.
- Study included 90 children: 32 SCA in steady state, 30 SCA in VOC, and 28 hemoglobin AA controls.
Main Results:
- Children with SCA, particularly those in VOC, exhibited significantly higher TSP-1 levels compared to steady-state SCA and controls.
- SCA patients in VOC had significantly lower serum 25-OHD levels than those in steady state.
- A significant inverse correlation was observed between TSP-1 and 25-OHD in the VOC subgroup.
Conclusions:
- Children with SCA, especially during VOC, present with elevated TSP-1 and deficient 25-OHD.
- An inverse relationship between 25-OHD and TSP-1 exists in pediatric VOC.
- Findings suggest a potential role for vitamin D in regulating TSP-1 in SCA.
Background:
Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) play significant roles in the pathogenesis of sickle cell anemia (SCA). TSP-1 enhances cellular adhesion/inflammation, hence contributing to vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC); vitamin D, in contrast, retards inflammation and may lower rate of pain episodes. We determined serum levels of TSP-1 and 25-OHD in Nigerian children with SCA and their matched hemoglobin AA controls; and assess the relationship between the 2 biomarkers.
Methods:
In total 90 children (32 SCA in steady state, 30 SCA in VOC, and 28 HbAA controls) were studied. Serum TSP-1 and 25-OHD levels were measured with ELISA and HPLC, respectively.
Results:
The mean TSP-1 of children with VOC was significantly higher than those in steady state (P=0.022) and HbAA controls (P<0.001). Similarly, the mean TSP-1 of those in steady state was higher than the controls (P=0.007). However, mean serum 25-OHD of the children with VOC was significantly lower than those in steady state (28.9±8.2 ng/mL vs. 37.1±12.3 ng/mL, P =0.004). There was a significant inverse correlation between TSP-1 and 25-OHD among the VOC subgroup, r=-0.57, P=0.001. The mean TSP-1 of the 28 children with SCA who had suboptimal vitamin D (213.5±118.6 ng/mL) was higher than 144.2±58.7 ng/mL of the 34 SCA who had normal serum vitamin D, P=0.008.
Conclusions:
Children with SCA, especially those with VOC, had high serum TSP-1 and low 25-OHD. Also, an inverse relationship exist between serum 25-OHD and TSP-1 in children with VOC. These findings provide basis for further studies into the regulation of TSP-1 by vitamin D.
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