Open AccessInvestigation of FoxO3 dynamics during erythroblast development in β-thalassemia major
Author(s) -
Naruchit Thanuthanakhun,
Lalauntakarn,
Somponnat Sampattavanich,
Usanarat Anurathapan,
Suphanun Phuphanitcharoenkun,
Savichaya Pornpaiboonstid,
Suparerk Borwornpinyo,
Suradej Hongeng
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0187610
Subject(s) - foxo3 , erythroblast , ineffective erythropoiesis , erythropoiesis , protein kinase b , thalassemia , biology , pi3k/akt/mtor pathway , transcription factor , haematopoiesis , microbiology and biotechnology , phosphorylation , medicine , anemia , stem cell , gene , signal transduction , genetics
The FoxO3 transcription factor is a key regulator of oxidative stress and erythroid maturation during erythropoiesis. In this study, we explored the involvement of FoxO3 in severe β-thalassemia. Using primary CD34 + hematopoietic progenitor cells from patients with β-thalassemia major, we successfully developed an in vitro model of ineffective erythropoiesis. Based on this model, FoxO3 activity was quantified in single cells using high throughput imaging flow cytometry. This study revealed a significant reduction of FoxO3 activity during the late stage of erythroblast differentiation in β-thalassemia, in contrast to erythropoiesis in normal cells that maintain persistent activation of FoxO3. In agreement with the decreased FoxO3 activity in β-thalassemia, the expression of FoxO3 target genes was also found to decrease, concurrent with elevated phosphorylation of AKT, most clearly at the late stage of erythroid differentiation. Our findings provide further evidence for the involvement of FoxO3 during terminal erythropoiesis and confirm the modulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway as a potential therapeutic strategy for β-thalassemia.