Intrinsic potential for high fetal hemoglobin production in a Druze family with β-thalassemia is due to an unlinked genetic determinant

The mechanism for elevated production of fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) in a Druze patient with β°-thalassemia intermedia was investigated. Heterozygous family members exhibited normal Hb F levels, suggesting that the increase in γ-gene expression in the propositus may be partly due to anemic stress. Erythroid progenitors of these family members cultured in vitro [burst forming units (erythroid); (BFUe)] showed elevated synthesis of Hb F, indicating the existence of a genetically determined intrinsic capacity for high Hb F production in this family. The propositus was found to be homozygous for a IVS2-position 1 mutation, on the background of Mediterranean haplotype I, which is not known to be linked to high Hb F production. Moreover, extensive molecular studies of the β-globin gene cluster, including sequence analysis of the promoter regions of the γ-globin genes, did not reveal any cisacting mechanism that could account for the high Hb F production in the propositus. A young niece of the propositus with β°-thalassemia major was recently discovered, who was homozygous for the same β-globin allele and haplotype as the propositus. However, unlike her uncle, she does not have a high Hb F level and presents with a severe clinical course. Her inability to produce high Hb F suggests that the genetic determinant for increased γ-gene expression in the propositus is unlinked to the β-globin gene cluster.