Congenital Anemia Due to Erythropoietin Gene Mutation Presenting With Diamond-Blackfan Anemia-like features
Ibrahim AboGhayyada1, Mohammad Zeidan1, Dalya Abusnaina1
1Faculty of Medicine, Palestine Polytechnic University, Hebron, Palestine.
Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is an inherited hypoplastic anemia, caused by mutations in ribosomal protein genes. Other mutations such as mutations in the erythropoietin (EPO) gene can lead to DBA-like (DBAL) through impairment of erythropoiesis. We present a 9-year-old patient with normocytic, normochromic, transfusion-dependent anemia since birth and reticulocytopenia. Bone marrow biopsies showed erythroid hypoplasia thereby excluding myelodysplasia and iron deficiency. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a homozygous mutation (c.530G>A; p.R177Q) in the EPO gene, which encodes a protein involved in erythroid progenitor-cell proliferation, confirmed the diagnosis of the DBAL. Diagnosis of congenital anemias has been complicated by their similar characteristics with DBA, but genetic testing is important in detecting rare causes of these disorders. This diagnosis enabled us to use recombinant human EPO therapy which reduced the need for blood transfusion.
Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is an inherited hypoplastic anemia, caused by mutations in ribosomal protein genes. Other mutations such as mutations in the erythropoietin (EPO) gene can lead to DBA-like (DBAL) through impairment of erythropoiesis. We present a 9-year-old patient with normocytic, normochromic, transfusion-dependent anemia since birth and reticulocytopenia. Bone marrow biopsies showed erythroid hypoplasia thereby excluding myelodysplasia and iron deficiency. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a homozygous mutation (c.530G>A; p.R177Q) in the EPO gene, which encodes a protein involved in erythroid progenitor-cell proliferation, confirmed the diagnosis of the DBAL. Diagnosis of congenital anemias has been complicated by their similar characteristics with DBA, but genetic testing is important in detecting rare causes of these disorders. This diagnosis enabled us to use recombinant human EPO therapy which reduced the need for blood transfusion.
More Related Videos
15:32Identification and Analysis of Mouse Erythroid Progenitors using the CD71/TER119 Flow-cytometric Assay
Published on: August 5, 2011
06:40Mouse Fetal Liver Culture System to Dissect Target Gene Functions at the Early and Late Stages of Terminal Erythropoiesis
Published on: September 9, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Erythropoiesis
Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of...
Translation
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Proteins are...
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
