Expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase in bone marrow CD34+ cells from patients with beta-thalassemia major.

BACKGROUND

Normal stem cells usually express a low level of telomerase activity that serves to stabilize the chromosomes during cell division and helps prevent cell senescence. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is a rate-limiting enzyme that dictates the activity of human telomerase and thus decides the life span of cells. The expression of hTERT and its roles in beta-thalassemia major are unclear, however.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

hTERT mRNA expression in bone marrow (BM) CD34+ cells from 25 children with beta-thalassemia major and 15 control subjects was investigated using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The serum erythropoietin (sEPO) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in peripheral blood were also determined. The relationship between hTERT and sEPO as well as Hb was then examined.

RESULTS

It was found that hTERT mRNA expression was significantly up regulated in BM CD34+ cells from patients with beta-thalassemia major. Furthermore, a significantly positive correlation was found between hTERT mRNA and sEPO (r = 0.771, p < 0.001). A significantly inverse correlation, however, was found between hTERT mRNA and Hb concentration (r = -0.929, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that severe anemia with low Hb concentration might up regulate hTERT expression of BM CD34+ cells and sEPO levels in patients with beta-thalassemia major.