Endothelial cell interactions Phenotypic modulation

Although HU may mediate some of its clinical benefits through its positive effect on HbF expression, these data also suggest that it may, by a yet-to-be defined mechanism of action, modulate the clinical severity of SCA. One possible pathway is that among the two incriminated interacting cell partners (sickle erythrocyte and endothelial cell) involved in vaso-adhesion and occlusion, HU may also affect the phenotype status of endothelial cells so that its adhesogenic (structural) and/or vasoregulatory (functional) properties are modified in a favorable manner. 

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