Overproduction of CXC chemokines CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL12 in β-thalassemia major or patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: β-thalassemia major is one of the most frequent hematological genetic disorders, worldwide. Chemokines are the main components of the immune system and play fundamental roles in pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine whether serum CXC chemokines are altered in β-thalassemia major patients. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: We enrolled 63 β-thalassemia patients and 80 controls in this cross-sectional study, which was performed during 2012–2013 in Kerman, Iran. METHODS: We enrolled 63 β-thalassemia patients and 80 controls in the present study. Patients were selected from referrals to Samenolhojaj clinic for thalassemia, Kerman, Iran. The circulating levels of CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL12 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in thalassemia patients and healthy controls immediately after blood collection. Data were analyzed by χ(2), t-test, and analysis of variance statistical methods and using SPSS, version 13 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). RESULTS: The results of the study demonstrated a significant elevation of CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL12 in thalassemia patients than in control. These results also demonstrated that serum chemokine levels are related to transfusion duration and post-transfusion viral infections. CONCLUSION: According to the results obtained, it can probably be concluded that chemokines are also involved in the pathogenesis of β-thalassemia major and its clinical complications in addition to several other parameters.