Question

Mutation in the hemoglobin gene can cause sickle-cell anemia. The defective protein found in sickle-cell anemia causes red blood cells to “sickle”—become a misshapen C shape. These misshapen cells abnormally stick to each other and can become trapped by leukocytes (white blood cells) that are rolling or paused on the endothelial cells lining the vessel. This causes blockages of small blood vessels, causing severe pain and strokes called vaso-occlusive crisis. A new drug that binds and blocks selectin proteins is in phase III clinical trials to test for improvement in patients' symptoms. Why might this be an effective treatment for vaso-occlusive crisis?

Answer 1

This might be an effective treatment for vaso-occlusive crisis as depending on which proteins it blocks from binding, can help prevent blockages of small blood vessels . It might be bad if it also binds select proteins as useless those proteins are regulated. Otherwise they could cause blockages too