Role of epistatic (modifier) genes in the modulation of the phenotypic diversity of sickle cell anemia.

Sickle hemoglobin is the product of one mutated gene, but the disease phenotype is the product of many genes. Polymorphism among the genes responsible for the pleotropic effects can be epistatic (or modifier) genes contributing to interindividual variation that characterizes sickle cell anemia patients. Modulation in the hemoglobin F levels is associated with the beta-globin gene cluster haplotypes and to gender and chromosomal sites different from chromosome 11 influencing the severity of the disease. Coexistence of alpha thalassemia with sickle cell disease produces hematologic and clinical consequences that are beneficial in some complications but deleterious in others. There is little if any modulation of the phenotype of sickle cell anemia by coexistence of G6PD deficiency. Mutations that favor blood coagulation or thrombosis may influence the phenotype of the disease. Improved understanding of the influence of genes involved in modulating the complex pathophysiology of sickle cell disease may allow prediction of the phenotype of sickle cell patients and aid in management decisions.