Over the last decades several mouse models of human hemoglobin disorders have been and continue to be generated. This chapter aims at describing various approaches to evaluate the global red blood cell properties in mouse models of human hemoglobin disorders, in particular thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Analysis of erythroid parameters provides insights into the RBC physiologic or pathophysiologic status. Mice expressing both murine and human globin genes can be investigated using adapted protocols provided herein.
Keywords: Cellulose acetate electrophoresis; Globin chain; Hemoglobin; Smear; Urea-triton polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.