Methods of alleviating the symptoms of hemoglobinopathies, including, but not limited to, sickle cell disease, β-thalassemia, and hemoglobin H disease are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering an inhibitor selected from a β-arrestin1/2 inhibitor and/or a GRK2 inhibitor to the subject. Methods of inhibiting adhesion of sickle red blood cells to endothelial cells and adhesion to and activation of leukocytes are also provided.
