Red blood cells carry oxygen with a marvelous protein called hemoglobin. Most people know about hemoglobin, but very few may realize that it comes in different variations, each of which has its own characteristics. This extensive article examines these different types and their importance in cardiovascular health.
What Is Hemoglobin And Its Types? Explain Four Types Of Haemoglobin
Hemoglobin, composed of HbA2, HbF, and HbS, plays a crucial role in oxygen transportation and delivery in the human system. Understanding these variants is crucial for diagnosing and managing various hematological diseases, such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
1️⃣ Haemoglobin A (HbA)
Haemoglobin A (HbA) is by far the most common type of hemoglobin found in adults (approximately 95-98%). It is a tetramer with a molecular organization comprising two alpha and two beta globin chains.
That is what makes HbA the number one transporter of oxygen to the rest of the body’s organs and tissues after it has been absorbed by the lungs. Hence, the stability of the HbA molecules plays a crucial role in ensuring effective transportation and subsequent delivery of the oxygen required to maintain normal cell functions.
The basis for comprehension of HBA’s genetics lies in appreciating its relationship to human health. The HBA1 and HBA2 genes found on chromosome 16 produce alpha globin chains.
At the same time, the synthesis of the beta-globin chain takes place through the HBB gene that appears on chromosome 11. Anomaly with any one of these genes causes hemoglobinopathies, a class of hemoglobin-related disorders.
2️⃣ Haemoglobin A2 (HbA2)
About 97% of total hemoglobin in adults consists of hemoglobin A1, while about 2-3% consists of hemoglobin A2, which despite being insignificant, remains important. The structure of HbA2 is different from that of HbA in that it consists of two alpha and two delta globin chains.
It does not function efficiently as an oxygen carrier and instead acts as a useful diagnostic indicator. As such, elevated HbA2 can be a sign of some hemoglobinopathies, primarily beta-thalassemia.
The measurement of HbA2 has facilitated the diagnosis as well as the understanding of various hemoglobin disorders. The increase in HbA2 levels is caused by beta thalassemia, a disorder that reduces or eliminates the synthesis of beta-globin chains.
Clinicians need to learn how to identify such differences to distinguish thalassemias from other hemoglobinopathies and offer specific treatments based on those diseases.
3️⃣ Haemoglobin F (HbF)
During fetal development, V F, also known as fetal hemoglobin, is involved. hbF consists of two alpha globin chains and two gamma globin chains with superior oxygen affinity to adult hemoglobin.
This is due to efficient oxygen exchange from the mother’s blood circulation into the growing fetus, leading to optimal development.at birth, HbF declines, but trace quantities of it can be detected in some adult people, most likely those suffering from specific blood diseases.
The result of how fetal hemoglobin is controlled may present new therapeutic options. This suggests that changing the level of expression of HbF in adult individuals may -present new therapies directed at hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia.
4️⃣ Haemoglobin S (HbS)
Sickle cell anemia mainly results from the presence of hemoglobin, which is a mutant form. Red blood cells develop an unusual shape in this condition known as sickling. The sickness is caused by a single amino acid substitution on the beta-globin chain.
These rigid and obstructive sickle cells differ greatly from ordinary red blood cells which cause multiple health problems.
Clinicians must understand the specific characteristics of red blood cells, as this information aids in the diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease. Abnormal hemoglobin production occurs when individuals inherit a copy of the mutant “HbS” gene from each parent.
The increased oxygen affinity of HbS leads to characteristic manifestations such as hemoglobinuria, hemolysis, and sickle cell crises, among others.
Also Read:- Causes Of Iron Deficiency Anemia: Factors Behind Low Iron Levels
End Result
These four kinds of hemoglobin, namely HbA2, HbF, and HbS interact together to carry out the elaborate task of oxygen transportation and delivery in the human system. All variants having different shapes and purposes, participate in the creation of the necessary harmony needed by the organism for the normal functioning of the bloodstream.
Such profound understanding is the key to the diagnosis and management of different types of hematological diseases, ranging from common thalassemia to sickle cell disease. As research findings in hemoglobin continue to be revealed, the possibilities of treatment options become more evident.
New therapies and preventive measures will emerge by examining the genetics and control of hemoglobin expression. Researchers keep wondering about the complex dance that is performed by hemoglobin in the bloodstream in the hopes of better prognoses and lives for those affected by these diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is hemoglobin and what’s its main role?
Haemoglobin is a protein found in RBCs that is responsible for the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the different tissues and organs of the body. It mainly helps to bond oxygen in the lungs, which in turn supports cellular activities.
2. What are the different types of hemoglobins?
There are four main types of hemoglobin: hemoglobin A (HbA), HbA2, HbF, and HbS.
3. What are the diagnosis methods for hemoglobin-related genetic disorders?
These involve diagnostic measures like hemoglobin electrophoresis and genetic testing that help identify aberrant hemoglobins like those associated with thalassemias or sickle cell diseases.
4. Do differences in hemoglobin levels suggest illnesses?
Abnormally high or low hemoglobin (Hb) levels could also point towards different diseases like anemia (iron deficiency), thalassemia, and sickle cell syndrome. It means that watching over the hemoglobin levels of these diseases is paramount to detecting and administering them adequately.
References
- Adamson JW, Parer JT, Stamatoyannopoulos G. Erythrocytosis associated with hemoglobin Rainier: oxygen equilibria and marrow regulation. J Clin Invest. 1969;48(8):1376–1386. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC322364/
- Structure-function relations of human hemoglobins – PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1484532/
- Bunn HF, Bradley TB, Davis WE, Drysdale JW, Burke JF, Beck WS, Layer MB. Structural and functional studies on hemoglobin Bethesda (α2Aβ2l45His), a variant associated with compensatory erythrocytosis. J Clin Invest. 1972;51(9):2299–2309. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4639015
