Methods of treating sickle cell disease

摘要

The present invention relates to methods of treating sickle cell disease comprising reducing, in a subject in need of such treatment, the adherence between sickle RBCs and leukocytes. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that leukocytes play a direct role in the initiation of venular occlusion. The present invention further provides for methods for identifying agents which decrease SS-RBC/leukocyte adherence and for animal models which may be used to further elucidate the mechanism of vaso-occlusion in sickle cell crises.