title: Triterpenoid inducers of Nrf2 signaling as potential therapeutic agents in sickle cell disease: a review.
abstract: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder of hemoglobin in which the abnormal hemoglobin S polymerizes when deoxygenated. This polymerization of hemoglobin S not only results in hemolysis and vasoocclusion but also precipitates inflammation, oxidative stress and chronic organ dysfunction. Oxidative stress is increasingly recognized as an important intermediate in these pathophysiological processes and is therefore an important target for therapeutic intervention. The transcription factor nuclear erythroid derived-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) controls the expression of anti-oxidant enzymes and is emerging as a protein whose function can be exploited with therapeutic intent. This review article is focused on triterpenoids that activate Nrf2, and their potential for reducing oxidative stress in SCD as an approach to prevent organ dysfunction associated with this disease. A brief overview of oxidative stress in the clinical context of SCD is accompanied by a discussion of several pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to oxidative stress. Finally, these mechanisms are then related to current management strategies in SCD that are either utilized currently or under evaluation. The article concludes with a perspective on the potential of the various therapeutic interventions to reduce oxidative stress and morbidity associated with SCD.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Amma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Owusu-Ansah
authors.forename: Sung Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Agne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrosiute
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Letterio
authors.forename: Alex Yee-Chen
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D035703:Therapies, Investigational; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; C495635:NFE2L2 protein, human; D014315:Triterpenes