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.