Implication of the Oxydative Stress in the Pathophysiology of Sickle Cell Anemia:

Although oxidative stress is not the primary aetiology of SCA, oxidative damage could in part account for pathophysiological mechanisms leading to sickle vaso-occlusion, in which anti bande 3 antibodies might play a role. Bande 3 is a protein belonging to red blood cells. These anti bande 3 antibodies are producted when after oxidative damage, a hidden site of bande 3 is revealed. In preliminary data, the Cuban partner of this study showed a significative difference between their level in patients, during steady state and vaso-occlusive crises. Our clinical question is to determine if a decrease of these antibodies, could participate in the occurrence of the crises. Therapeutic strategies aimed to counteract oxidative abnormalities might alleviate this still nowadays unknown mechanisms disease progression.

Band 3 protein which belongs to the anionic interchanger is the main erythrocyte membrane protein, present in about 1.2 x 106 copies per cell. Under certain conditions, band 3 protein modifications in the human erythrocyte membrane surface lead to band 3 aggregates. These modifications are mostly due to oxidative insults that gradually accumulate during red blood cell lifespan. Band 3 clusters on the SS RBCs produce two significant changes: first, these cells acquire an adhesive nature; second, band 3 aggregates are recognized by natural band 3 antibodies. Several studies have shown that band 3 peptides are able to inhibit the adherence of SS RBCs to endothelial cells. This suggests possible participation of band 3 antibodies in the aethiology as well as in the prevention of VOC in SCA. Oxidant damage in RBCs may contribute to the circulatory disorders by affecting their flow properties i.e. their deformability, aggregability and adherence to endothelial cells. Therefore, in parallel of the study of the evaluation of the role of anti bande 3 antibodies in VOC occurrence and severity, the investigators will explore the involvement of oxidative stress on the rheological properties of SSRBCs (deformability and aggregability),

Inclusion criteria

• adults ≥ 18 years old SCA patients (SS genotype) hospitalized for bone VOC with single or multifocal localizations.

Exclusion criteria

• chronic transfusion therapy or recent blood transfusion (less than 3 months before the current VOC or the state defined "steady-state" in SCA);
• severe chronic renal failure; liver failure;
• autoimmune disease;
• viral hepatitis; HIV seropositivity;
• pregnancy or breast feeding;
• patients already engaged in another therapeutic clinical research protocol; - non-compliant patients to usual care;
• patients unable to give their consent.