Impact of eNOS polymorphisms on red blood cell aggregation in sickle cell disease

International audienceHemorheological abnormalities have been well characterized in sickle cell disease (SCD) and seem to modulate the clinical severity [1]. For instance, increased blood viscosity raises the risk for frequent vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and increased red blood cell (RBC) aggregates robustness (i.e., RBC disaggregation threshold) enhances the risks for acute chest syndrome (ACS) [2]. Moreover, patients with the most rigid RBCs are characterized by high hemolytic rate, which increases the risks to develop leg ulcers or glomerulopathy [3]. However, except few studies supporting an effect of alpha-thalassemia and oxidative stress [1] on RBC rheological properties of SCD patients, very few experiments focused on the genetic and cellular factors modulating blood rheology in this disease