Identification of therapeutic targets for inflammation in sickle cell disease (SCD) among Indian patients using gene expression data analysis.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is life-threatening hemoglobinopathy prevalent in India, Sub-Saharan Africa and Middle East. Inflammation plays a pivotal role in disease process and involves intricate interaction among leukocytes, platelets, sickle erythrocytes and vascular endothelium. Available disease modifying therapies are hydroxyl-urea and blood transfusion. Therefore, it is of interest to develop improved pharmacological agents for SCD. We report up-regulated genes in steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis using analysis of gene expression data obtained by microarray experiment for SCD as potential targets. The association of these targets with inflammation in pathway analysis is also documented.