STUDY OF GROWTH DIFFERENTIATION FACTOR 15 EXPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR

Abstract

G rowth Differentiation Factor 15, a member of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily has been identified as a hepcidin suppressing cytokine and is expressed at high levels in patients with ineffective erythropoiesis. Remarkably high serum levels were detected in patients with thalassemia syndromes, congenital dyserythropoiesis and some acquired sideroblastic anemias. We aimed in this study to assess the expression of growth differentiation factor 15 in transfusion dependent beta thalassemia childrens, its relation to iron overload, transfusion and chelation historyas well as to determine its level in different beta thalassemia morbidities particularly cardiac complications. This case control study included fourty nine transfusion dependent ß-Thalassemia children aged between 3-18 yearswith mean 9.6±4 with male to female ratio 1.04:1 recruited from the Pediatric Hematology Clinic, Ain Shams University, compared to thirty nine age and sex-matched healthy controls. All included patients were subjected to detailed medical history including transfusion, chelation, hepatitis C virus history, through clinical examination with calculation of mean serum ferritin, mean pretransfusion Hb in last 2 years and transfusion index. Medical records were reviewed and data of different morbidities were gathered.GDF15 serum level estimation was done for patients and control. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1:Patients with serum ferritin level less than or equal 2500ng/ml. Group 2: patients with serum ferritin more than 2500ng/ml.