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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
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Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
Erythroferrone in β-thalassemia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Muhammad Saboor1, Khaled Abass2
1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Summary
Erythroferrone (ERFE) is significantly elevated in beta-thalassemia, showing a strong inverse correlation with hepcidin. This meta-analysis confirms ERFE
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biomarker Discovery
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Beta-thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis.
- Erythroferrone (ERFE) is a hormone that suppresses hepcidin, playing a role in iron regulation.
- ERFE is a potential biomarker for ineffective erythropoiesis, but quantitative data synthesis is lacking.
Conclusions:
- Circulating ERFE levels are markedly elevated in beta-thalassemia and inversely correlate with hepcidin in a reproducible manner.
- ERFE shows potential as a biomarker for ineffective erythropoiesis in beta-thalassemia.
- Assay standardization and prospective validation are necessary for clinical application.
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The cardiovascular system regulates the number of erythrocytes in the bloodstream to ensure optimal oxygen transport. It also prevents over-proliferation of these cells, which helps to maintain blood viscosity and flow rate.
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...
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...
01:27Disorders of Erythrocytes
Disorders of erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), include a range of conditions affecting their number, shape, or function.
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...
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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...
01:29Structure and Function of Erythrocytes
There are between 4.2 and 6 million erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, in every microliter of blood. These cells are small, flattened biconcave discs with centers that are depressed.
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...
01:14Erythropoiesis
Red blood cells (RBCs) transport oxygen to all body tissues. These cells survive only for 120 days and then need to be replenished. Erythropoiesis is the process of RBC production. In healthy individuals, erythropoiesis ensures all tissues are amply supplied with oxygen. In addition, blood loss due to injury leads to a drop in the physiological oxygen level that will cause erythropoiesis. Any defect in erythropoiesis leads to several physiological disorders, including thalassemia, anemia, and...
02:45Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
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History
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History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
01:24Hemoglobin
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