application) Sickle cell anemia and related hemoglobinopathies are among the most common genetic disorders in this country. Reactivation of fetal globin by pharmacologic agents provides therapeutic benefits in these patients by interfering with the polymerization of the mutant hemoglobin. This proposal outlines an alternative approach for augmentation of fetal hemoglobin. All vertebrate animals switch hemoglobins during development from fetal to adult type. The molecular mechanisms that mediate this process are complex. Erythroid Kruppel like factor (EKLF) is an erythroid specific transcription factor that plays a crucial role in activating beta globin expression and in consolidating the switch from fetal to adult globin. In its absence not only is adult beta globin expression abolished, but there is a competitive increase in gamma globin expression. This has led us to consider whether manipulating EKLF's molecular properties so that it acts as a transcriptional repressor might further augment and stabilize gamma globin gene expression. The above hypothesis will be tested by: (1) Constructing repressor EKLF constructs and testing them by transient transfection assays in cell lines. (2) Monitoring the functional importance of repressor constructs in differentiating embryonic stem cells and transgenic mice.(3) Analyzing the effect of repressor constructs on sickle erythropoiesis in liquid cultures. The end result of these aims will be to provide a transcriptional reagent for gene therapy approaches that will augment fetal hemoglobin levels in patients with sickle cell disease. Amelioration of the debilitating effects of this disease provides a considerable clinical rationale for pursuing this goal.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08DK002871-04
Application #
6658939
Study Section
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases B Subcommittee (DDK)
Program Officer
Bishop, Terry Rogers
Project Start
2000-09-30
Project End
2005-08-31
Budget Start
2003-09-01
Budget End
2004-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$128,331
Indirect Cost
Name
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
078861598
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10029
Xue, Li; Galdass, Mariann; Gnanapragasam, Merlin Nithya et al. (2014) Extrinsic and intrinsic control by EKLF (KLF1) within a specialized erythroid niche. Development 141:2245-54
Manwani, Deepa; Bieker, James J (2008) The erythroblastic island. Curr Top Dev Biol 82:23-53
Frontelo, Pilar; Manwani, Deepa; Galdass, Mariann et al. (2007) Novel role for EKLF in megakaryocyte lineage commitment. Blood 110:3871-80
Manwani, Deepa; Galdass, Mariann; Bieker, James J (2007) Altered regulation of beta-like globin genes by a redesigned erythroid transcription factor. Exp Hematol 35:39-47