Biomaterial Database

Hereditary hemochromatosis: gene discovery and its implications for population-based screening. 1998

W Burke, and E Thomson, and M J Khoury, and S M McDonnell, and N Press, and P C Adams, and J C Barton, and E Beutler, and G Brittenham, and A Buchanan, and E W Clayton, and M E Cogswell, and E M Meslin, and A G Motulsky, and L W Powell, and E Sigal, and B S Wilfond, and F S Collins

Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98105, USA. wburke@u.washington.edu

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of genetic testing in screening for hereditary hemochromatosis to help guide clinicians, policymakers, and researchers. METHODS An expert panel was convened on March 3, 1997, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), with expertise in epidemiology, genetics, hepatology, iron overload disorders, molecular biology, public health, and the ethical, legal, and social implications surrounding the discovery and use of genetic information. METHODS The group reviewed evidence regarding the clinical presentation, natural history, and genetics of hemochromatosis, including current data on the candidate gene for hemochromatosis (HFE) and on the ethical and health policy implications of genetic testing for this disorder. METHODS Consensus was achieved by group discussion confirmed by a voice vote. A draft of the consensus statement was prepared by a writing committee and subsequently reviewed and revised by all members of the expert group over a 1-year period. CONCLUSIONS Genetic testing is not recommended at this time in population-based screening for hereditary hemochromatosis, due to uncertainties about prevalence and penetrance of HFE mutations and the optimal care of asymptomatic people carrying HFE mutations. In addition, use of a genetic screening test raises concerns regarding possible stigmatization and discrimination. Tests for HFE mutations may play a role in confirming the diagnosis of hereditary hemochromatosis in persons with elevated serum iron measures, but even this use is limited by uncertainty about genotype-phenotype correlations. To address these questions, the expert group accorded high priority to population-based research to define the prevalence of HFE mutations, age and sex-related penetrance of different HFE genotypes, interactions between HFE genotypes and environmental modifiers, and psychosocial outcomes of genetic screening for hemochromatosis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008565	Membrane Proteins	Proteins which are found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. They consist of two types, peripheral and integral proteins. They include most membrane-associated enzymes, antigenic proteins, transport proteins, and drug, hormone, and lectin receptors.	Cell Membrane Protein,Cell Membrane Proteins,Cell Surface Protein,Cell Surface Proteins,Integral Membrane Proteins,Membrane-Associated Protein,Surface Protein,Surface Proteins,Integral Membrane Protein,Membrane Protein,Membrane-Associated Proteins,Membrane Associated Protein,Membrane Associated Proteins,Membrane Protein, Cell,Membrane Protein, Integral,Membrane Proteins, Integral,Protein, Cell Membrane,Protein, Cell Surface,Protein, Integral Membrane,Protein, Membrane,Protein, Membrane-Associated,Protein, Surface,Proteins, Cell Membrane,Proteins, Cell Surface,Proteins, Integral Membrane,Proteins, Membrane,Proteins, Membrane-Associated,Proteins, Surface,Surface Protein, Cell
D009154	Mutation	Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.	Mutations
D005260	Female		Females
D005820	Genetic Testing	Detection of a MUTATION; GENOTYPE; KARYOTYPE; or specific ALLELES associated with genetic traits, heritable diseases, or predisposition to a disease, or that may lead to the disease in descendants. It includes prenatal genetic testing.	Genetic Predisposition Testing,Genetic Screening,Predictive Genetic Testing,Predictive Testing, Genetic,Testing, Genetic Predisposition,Genetic Predictive Testing,Genetic Screenings,Genetic Testing, Predictive,Predisposition Testing, Genetic,Screening, Genetic,Screenings, Genetic,Testing, Genetic,Testing, Genetic Predictive,Testing, Predictive Genetic
D005838	Genotype	The genetic constitution of the individual, comprising the ALLELES present at each GENETIC LOCUS.	Genogroup,Genogroups,Genotypes
D006432	Hemochromatosis	A disorder of iron metabolism characterized by a triad of HEMOSIDEROSIS; LIVER CIRRHOSIS; and DIABETES MELLITUS. It is caused by massive iron deposits in parenchymal cells that may develop after a prolonged increase of iron absorption. (Jablonski's Dictionary of Syndromes & Eponymic Diseases, 2d ed)	Diabetes, Bronze,Bronze Diabetes,Bronzed Cirrhosis,Familial Hemochromatosis,Genetic Hemochromatosis,Haemochromatosis,Hemochromatoses,Iron Storage Disorder,Pigmentary Cirrhosis,Primary Hemochromatosis,Troisier-Hanot-Chauffard Syndrome,Von Recklenhausen-Applebaum Disease,Bronzed Cirrhoses,Cirrhoses, Bronzed,Cirrhoses, Pigmentary,Cirrhosis, Bronzed,Cirrhosis, Pigmentary,Disease, Von Recklenhausen-Applebaum,Diseases, Von Recklenhausen-Applebaum,Disorder, Iron Storage,Disorders, Iron Storage,Familial Hemochromatoses,Genetic Hemochromatoses,Haemochromatoses,Hemochromatose,Hemochromatoses, Familial,Hemochromatoses, Genetic,Hemochromatosis, Familial,Hemochromatosis, Genetic,Iron Storage Disorders,Pigmentary Cirrhoses,Recklenhausen-Applebaum Disease, Von,Recklenhausen-Applebaum Diseases, Von,Storage Disorder, Iron,Storage Disorders, Iron,Syndrome, Troisier-Hanot-Chauffard,Syndromes, Troisier-Hanot-Chauffard,Troisier Hanot Chauffard Syndrome,Troisier-Hanot-Chauffard Syndromes,Von Recklenhausen Applebaum Disease,Von Recklenhausen-Applebaum Diseases
D006680	HLA Antigens	Antigens determined by leukocyte loci found on chromosome 6, the major histocompatibility loci in humans. They are polypeptides or glycoproteins found on most nucleated cells and platelets, determine tissue types for transplantation, and are associated with certain diseases.	Human Leukocyte Antigen,Human Leukocyte Antigens,Leukocyte Antigens,HL-A Antigens,Antigen, Human Leukocyte,Antigens, HL-A,Antigens, HLA,Antigens, Human Leukocyte,Antigens, Leukocyte,HL A Antigens,Leukocyte Antigen, Human,Leukocyte Antigens, Human
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000071020	Hemochromatosis Protein	A membrane protein and MHC class I antigen. It contains an IMMUNOGLOBULIN C1-SET DOMAIN and interacts with BETA 2-MICROGLOBULIN. It may also regulate the interaction of TRANSFERRIN with the TRANSFERRIN RECEPTOR. Mutations in the HFE gene are associated with cases of FAMILIAL HEMOCHROMATOSIS.	HFE Protein,HLA-H Antigen,Antigen, HLA-H,HLA H Antigen