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Prof Sant-Rayn Pasricha

About

In the laboratory, we study how the master controller of systemic iron homoestasis, hepcidin, is regulated. Hepcidin is responsible for controlling iron absorption from the intestine and iron recycling from degraded red cells by the macrophage.

We are using novel epigenetic approaches to characterise new pathways which may regulate hepcidin gene expression. In addition, we are studying mechanisms by which erythropoiesis and anaemia may affect hepcidin expression.

In the field, we are undertaking large randomised controlled trials of iron interventions in rural Bangladesh (infants) and Malawi (pregnant women). These trials will provide much needed evidence to inform global health anaemia control policies. Samples from these trials will be available for analysis using cutting edge platforms including 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbiota, CyTOF and flow cytometry, and molecular characterization, for example using high throughput RNA sequencing.

Finally, we assist and advise international and national organisations with research and policy development.

Publications

Selected publications from Prof Sant-Rayn Pasricha

Pasricha, S.R.; Mwangi, M.N.; Moya, E.; Ataide, R.; Mzembe, G.; Harding, R.; Zinenani, T.; Larson, L.M.; Demir, A.Y.; Nkhono, W.; Chinkhumba, J.; Simpson, J.A.; Clucas, D.; Stones, W.; Braat, S.; Phiri, K.S. Ferric carboxymaltose versus standard-of-care oral iron to treat second-trimester anaemia in Malawian pregnant women: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2023, 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00278-7 PMID: 37088092

Bennett, C.; Jackson, V.E.; Pettikiriarachchi, A.; Hayman, T.; Schaeper, U.; Moir-Meyer, G.L.; Fielding, K.L.; Ataide, R.; Clucas, D.; Baldi, A.J.; Garnham, A.L.; Li-Wai-Suen, C.S.; Loughran, S.J.; Baxter, E.J.; Green, A.R.; Alexander, W.S.; Bahlo, M.; Burbury, K.; Ng, A.P.; Pasricha, S.R. Iron homeostasis governs erythroid phenotype in Polycythemia Vera. Blood 2023, 10.1182/blood.2022016779, doi:10.1182/blood.2022016779. PMID: 36928379

Pasricha SR, Hasan MI, Braat S, Larson LM, Tipu SMMU, Hossain SJ, Shiraji S, Baldi A, Bhuiyan MSA, Tofail F, Fisher J, Grantham-McGregor S, Simpson JA, Hamadani JD, Biggs BA. Benefits and Risks of Universal Iron Interventions in Infants. New Engl J Med. 2021. Sep 9;385(11):982-995. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2034187. PMID: 34496174

Pasricha SR, Tye-Din JA, Muckenthaler M, Swinkels D. Iron Deficiency. Lancet 2021 Jan 16;397(10270):233-248. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32594-0. PMID: 33285139

Hamadani JD, Hasan MI, Baldi AJ, Hossain SJ, Shiraji S, Bhuiyan MSA, Mehrin SF, Fisher J, Tofail F, Tipu SMMU, Grantham-McGregor S, Biggs BA, Braat S, Pasricha SR. Immediate impact of stay-at-home orders to control COVID-19 transmission on socioeconomic conditions, food insecurity, mental health and intimate partner violence in Bangladeshi women and their families: an interrupted time-series. Lancet Glob Health. 2020. doi: 10.1016/ S2214-109X(20)30366-1. PMID: 32857955

Pasricha SR, Gheorghe A, Sakr-Ashour F, Arcot A, Neufeld L, Murray-Kolb LE, Suchdev PS, Bode M. Net benefit and cost-effectiveness of universal iron- containing multiple micronutrient powders for young children in 78 countries: a microsimulation study. Lancet Glob Health. 2020 Aug;8(8):e1071-e1080. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30240-0. PMID: 32710863

Pasricha SR, Lim PJ, Duarte T, Casu C, Oosterhuis D, Mleczko-Sanecka K, Suciu M, Da Silva AR, Al-Hourani K, Arezes J, McHugh K, Gooding S, Frost J, Wray K, Santos A, Porto G, Repapi E, Gray N, Draper S, Ashley N, Soilleux E, Olinga P, Muckenthaler M, Hughes J, Rivella S, Milne TA, Armitage AE, Drakesmith AH. Hepcidin is regulated by promoter-associated histone acetylation and HDAC3. Nat Commun. 2017 Sep 1;8(1):403. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00500-z. PMID: 28864822

Jones E,* Pasricha SR,* Allen A, Evans P, Fisher CA, Wray K, Premawardhena A, Bandara D, Perera A, Webster C, Sturges P, Olivieri NF, St Pierre T, Armitage AE, Porter JB, Weatherall DJ*, Drakesmith H*. Blood. 2015 Jan 29;125(5):873-80. doi: 10.1182/blood-2014-10-606491. PMID: 25519750

Pasricha SR*, Atkinson SH,* Armitage AE, Khandwala S, Veenemans J, Cox SE, Eddowes LA, Hayes T, Doherty CP, Demir AY, Tijhaar E, Verhoef H, Prentice AM*, Drakesmith H*. Expression of the iron hormone hepcidin distinguishes types of anemia in African children. Sci Transl Med. 2014 May 7;6(235):235re3. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3008249. PMID: 24807559

Pasricha SR, Frazer DM, Bowden DK, Anderson GJ. Transfusion suppresses erythropoiesis and increases hepcidin in adult patients with beta-thalassemia major – a longitudinal study. Blood. 2013 Jul 4;122(1):124-33. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-12-471441. Epub 2013 May 8. PMID: 23656728

Lab research projects

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