title: F reticulocytes assay: a method to evaluate fetal hemoglobin production.
abstract: Production of fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) involves molecular as well as cellular aspects as, among red blood cells, it is restricted to a specific population referred as the F cells. Thus understanding the mechanisms involved in persistence or re-emergence of Hb F production in various inherited or acquired conditions requires the measurement of both Hb F and F cells. In addition, in disorders with a hemolytic component, including sickle cell disease (SCD), because of a probable preferential survival of F cells as compared to non-F cells, the true parameter of F cell production is the F reticulocyte count. The F cells/F reticulocytes ratio then selectively reflects this preferential survival. Here we describe an original immunofluorescence microscopy assay that permits the simultaneous measurement of F cells and F reticulocytes. For this assay to be widely usable, we chose to use commercially available monoclonal antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Hématologie Biologique, Hôpital Tenon, Paris, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maier-Redelsperger
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Elion
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Girot
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin