Increased CD177 (PRV1) expression in thalassaemia and the underlying erythropoietic activity

CD177 (PRV1) expression is strongly related to polycythaemia vera (PV). Whilst studying CD177 expression in PV patients and controls, individuals with beta-thalassaemia minor were found to display an elevated expression of CD177. The study was expanded to include patients with thalassaemia intermedia, sickle cell/beta-thalassaemia and thalassaemia major. CD177 expression was increased in these thalassaemic groups and correlated with their erythropoietic activity, as assessed by the measurement of serum erythropoietin and soluble transferrin receptor levels. Within this context, elevated CD177 expression is not only a specific feature of PV but may be an indicator of increased erythropoietic activity in thalassaemia syndromes.