Advances on the genetic basis of red cell membrane disorders

The development and widespread use of genetic testing for diagnosis of red blood cell (RBC) membrane disorders and other hereditary hemolytic anemias (HHA) have expanded our understanding of these diseases and revealed additional complexities. We describe here such complexities and make suggestions regarding genotypic/phenotypic evaluation with the goal of early diagnosis of patients with HHA before inappropriate treatment or complications occur.

Widespread use of clinical genetic diagnosis in patients, for more than a decade now, has revealed the heterogeneity of RBC membranopathies, even when caused by different variants in the same gene, and sometimes due to the same genetic variant, likely because of genetic modifiers or mutations in other genes encoding for RBC membrane proteins, enzymes, or globins. Many under-recognized diseases are now more easily diagnosed.

Despite complexities in the genetic evaluation of RBC membranopathies, the future holds great promise for timely and accurate diagnosis. Correlation and documentation of genotypic and phenotypic data from affected individuals and family members will allow for improved detection and interpretation of genetic results. The use of such testing in newborns and children with HHA can optimize treatment decisions and explore possibilities for novel targeted or genetic therapies.