Ancestral ß-globin gene haplotypes modify ß-thalassemia severity in a mouse model [bone marrow, spleen]

ß-Thalassemia is a prevalent anemia caused by mutations in the HBB (ß-globin) gene. We show that the severity of ß-thalassemia in the frequently studied Hbbth3/+ mouse model is influenced by ancestral ß-globin gene (Hbb) haplotypes that differ in common strains. Overall design: To investigate to what degree the single and diffuse Hbb haplotypes modify the severity of ß-thalassemia in mice.