Heterogeneity of F cells in β‐thalassemia

摘要: BACKGROUND: Fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which is largely replaced after birth by the adult Hb, concentrated in a few “F cells.” Their number significantly increases certain physiologic and clinical situations, including β-thalassemia (β-thal). quantification used to detect fetal–maternal hemorrhage (FMH), where fetal cells enter maternal circulation. We were confronted with pregnant woman β-thal who was suspected have FMH. To establish usefulness of flow cytometric procedure differentiate between F cells, we screened patients. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood samples simultaneously stained fluorescent antibodies HbF carbonic anhydrase (CA) isotype II, specific red blood (RBCs). RESULTS: A heterogeneous distribution RBCs respect CA expression observed: non-F (CA+HbF–) (CA+HbF+/HbF++) as well characteristics (CA–HbF++). CONCLUSIONS: The presence CA–HbF++ nonpregnant women, even men, thal indicates that CA/HbF method inappropriate for detection coexistence carrying or markers suggests they originate from two types stem cell, fetal, lineages. Normally, lineage insignificant, but β-thal, HbF-containing selective advantage, “fetal” gains significance.