Exome Sequencing Identifies Glycosylation Defects as a Probable Cause of Immune-Mediated Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

2019 ◽  
Vol 152 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S19-S20
Author(s):  
Malay Kumar Basu ◽  
Elizabeth Staley ◽  
Konstantine Halkidis ◽  
Jingrui (Jean) Sui ◽  
Nicole K Kocher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exome Sequencing ◽  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Adamts13 Activity ◽  
Autoantibody Production ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Severe Deficiency

Abstract Background Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a potentially fatal syndrome, resulting from autoantibodies against ADAMTS13. However, the mechanism underlying autoantibody formation is not known. Neither is known about the other genetic abnormality in the setting of severe deficiency of plasma ADAMTS13 activity. Methods Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in 40 patients with iTTP who had plasma ADAMTS13 activity <10% and a positive inhibitor or elevated anti-ADAMTS13 IgG. Fifteen age- and ethnicity-matched subjects who never had iTTP were recruited as healthy controls. Results WES identified mutations in the genes involved in glycosylation, including O-linked glycosylation to be the major pathway affected in patients with iTTP. Mass spectrometry confirmed the changes in plasma levels of various glycoproteins in patients with acute iTTP when compared with those in the healthy controls. The altered glycosylation in glycoproteins may be responsible for the development of autoantibodies, susceptibility of von Willebrand factor to proteolysis by ADAMTS13, and the clearance of platelets in iTTP patients. Moreover, candidate gene analysis revealed that various genes involving in hemostasis, complement activation, platelet number and function, and inflammation were all affected in patients with iTTP, which may contribute to the onset, progress, severity, and long-term outcome of iTTP. Conclusions Our findings provide novel insight into a pathogenic mechanism underlying autoantibody production and the potential contribution of other genetic abnormalities in pathogenesis of iTTP in the individuals with severe deficiency of plasma ADAMTS13 activity. Future Direction Further studies are warranted to determine the specific glycosylation patterns of various plasma and cellular proteins in patients with iTTP and to determine the synergistic role of various gene mutations and severe ADAMTS13 deficiency in the pathogenesis of iTTP.

scholarly journals Exome Sequencing Identifies Glycosylation Defects As a Probable Cause of Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 217-217
Author(s):  
Felipe Massicano ◽  
Elizabeth M. Staley ◽  
Konstantine Halkidis ◽  
Nicole K. Kocher ◽  
Lance A. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exome Sequencing ◽  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Severe Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Adamts13 Activity ◽  
Genomic Alterations ◽  
Autoantibody Production ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Clinical Presentations

Background: Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a potentially fatal syndrome, resulting primarily from autoantibodies against ADAMTS13. However, the mechanism underlying the autoantibody formation and the contribution of other genomic alterations to the pathogenesis of iTTP are largely unknown. Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatic analyses were performed to determine the genetic variations in 40 patients with iTTP who had ADAMTS13 activity &lt;10 IU/dL and a positive inhibitor or an elevated anti-ADAMTS13 IgG in concordance with clinical presentations of severe thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with various degrees of organ injury. WES was also performed at the same time in fifteen age-, gender-, and ethnicity- matched individuals who did not have a history of iTTP or other hematological disorders as controls. Results: WES identified variants or mutations in the genes involving in glycosylation, including O-linked glycosylation, to be the major pathway affected in patients with iTTP. We propose that the altered glycosylation may be responsible for the development of autoantibodies against ADAMTS13 which impair the proteolytic cleavage of von Willebrand factor, accelerate the clearance of ADAMTS13 from circulation, and result in severe thrombocytopenia platelets in patients with iTTP. We also identified defects in ankyrin repeat containing protein ANKRD36C, a protein with hitherto unknown function, as the most statistically significant genomic alterations associated with iTTP (p &lt; 10-5). Moreover, candidate gene analysis revealed that various genes involving in hemostasis, complement activation, platelet function and signaling pathway, and inflammation were all affected in patients with iTTP, which may contribute to the onset, progress, severity, and long-term outcome of iTTP. Finally, we also identified two patient subgroups where the disease mechanism might be different. Conclusion: Our findings provide novel insight into the pathogenic mechanism underlying ADAMTS13 autoantibody production and the potential contribution of other genetic abnormalities in modifying the iTTP clinical presentations in the individuals with severe deficiency of plasma ADAMTS13 activity. Disclosures Zheng: Alexion: Speakers Bureau; Ablynx/Sanofi: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Shire/Takeda: Research Funding; Clotsolution: Other: Co-Founder.

Exome Sequencing Identifies Abnormalities in Glycosylation and ANKRD36C in Patients with Immune-Mediated Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malay Kumar Basu ◽  
Felipe Massicano ◽  
Lijia Yu ◽  
Konstantine Halkidis ◽  
Vikram Pillai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exome Sequencing ◽  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Protein Glycosylation ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Major Pathway ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Hematological Disorders ◽  
Blood Disorder ◽  
Immune Mediated

Abstract Background Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a potentially fatal blood disorder, resulting from autoantibodies against ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13). However, the mechanism underlying anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibody formation is not known, nor it is known how genetic aberrations contribute to the pathogenesis of iTTP. Methods Here we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) of DNA samples from 40 adult patients with iTTP and 15 local healthy subjects with no history of iTTP and other hematological disorders. Results WES revealed variations in the genes involved in protein glycosylation, including O-linked glycosylation, to be a major pathway affected in patients with iTTP. Moreover, variations in the ANKRD gene family, particularly ANKRD36C and its paralogs, were also more prevalent in patients with iTTP than in the healthy controls. The ANKRD36 family of proteins have been implicated in inflammation. Mass spectrometry revealed a dramatic alternation in plasma glycoprotein profile in patients with iTTP compared with the healthy controls. Conclusion Altered glycosylation may affect the disease onset and progression in various ways: it may predispose patients to produce ADAMTS13 autoantibodies or affect their binding properties; it may also alter clearance kinetics of hemostatic and inflammatory proteins. Together, our findings provide novel insights into plausible mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of iTTP.

scholarly journals Bethesda Assay for Detecting Inhibitory Anti-ADAMTS13 Antibodies in Immune-Mediated Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

TH Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 02 (03) ◽  
pp. e329-e333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Vendramin ◽  
Mari Thomas ◽  
John-Paul Westwood ◽  
Marie Scully
Keyword(s):  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
High Titer ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Adamts13 Activity ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Severe Deficiency ◽  
A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase

AbstractA diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is confirmed by a severe deficiency (<10%) of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) activity. Autoantibodies to ADAMTS13 can be detected with a simplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). An alternative methodology is a Bethesda assay, which has never been formally assessed in TTP. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory anti-ADAMTS13 antibody assay and determine if the Bethesda assay is advantageous compared with the ELISA, measuring total immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to ADAMTS 13. The Bethesda method determines the neutralizing activity of anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies in pooled normal plasma. We selected six immune-mediated TTP (iTTP) patients with ADAMTS13 activity levels <10% and strong ADAMTS13 inhibitors by 50:50 mixing studies and analyzed anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies using the Bethesda and ELISA assays. ADAMTS13 activity was stable at room temperature, while a time-dependent decrease in activity was detected in assay conditions of 37°C. Adding 5 mM Ca2+ to citrated plasma prevented loss of ADAMTS13 activity with time. There was time dependence to the antibody-mediated inactivation, after 2-hour incubation. Two of the iTTP patients had no detectable ADAMTS13 antibodies by the Bethesda assay, but had high titer of anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies and low ADAMTS13 antigen levels. The Bethesda assay can only detect anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies that functionally inhibit ADAMTS13. The anti-ADAMTS13 IgG ELISA instead allows the rapid identification of total IgG autoantibodies, detecting both inhibitory and noninhibitory antibodies.

FRETS-VWF73 rather than CBA assay reflects ADAMTS13 proteolytic activity in acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura patients

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (08) ◽  
pp. 297-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Mancini ◽  
Carla Valsecchi ◽  
Luca Lotta ◽  
Louis Deforche ◽  
Silvia Pontiggia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Adamts13 Activity ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Severe Deficiency ◽  
Adamts13 Deficiency ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
Willebrand Factor

SummaryCollagen-binding activity (CBA) and FRETS-VWF73 assays are widely adopted methods for the measurement of the plasmatic activity of ADAMTS13, the von Willebrand factor (VWF) cleaving-protease. Accurately assessing the severe deficiency of ADAMTS13 is important in the management of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). However, non-concordant results between the two assays have been reported in a small but relevant percentage of TTP cases. We investigated whether CBA or FRETS-VWF73 assay reflects ADAMTS13 proteolytic activity in acquired TTP patients with non-concordant measurements. Twenty plasma samples with non-concordant ADAMTS13 activity results, <10% using FRETS-VWF73 and ≥20% using CBA, and 11 samples with concordant results, <10% using either FRETS-VWF73 and CBA assays, were analysed. FRETS-VWF73 was performed in the presence of 1.5 M urea. ADAMTS13 activities were also measured under flow conditions and the VWF multimer pattern was defined in order to verify the presence of ultra-large VWF due to ADAMTS13 deficiency. In FRETS-VWF73 assay with 1.5 M urea, ADAMTS13 activity significantly increased in roughly 50% of the samples with non-concordant results, whereas it remained undetectable in all samples with concordant measurements. Under flow conditions, all tested samples showed reduced ADAMTS13 activity. Finally, samples with non-concordant results showed a ratio of high molecular weight VWF multimers higher than normal. Our results support the use of FRETS-VWF73 over CBA assay for the assessment of ADAMTS13 severe deficiency and indicate urea as one cause of the observed differences.

scholarly journals Active and Ultra-Large Von Willebrand Factor Is Significantly Elevated in Patients with Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 523-523
Author(s):  
Wenjing Cao ◽  
Alicia Veninga ◽  
Elizabeth M. Staley ◽  
Adam Miszta ◽  
Nicole Kocher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Von Willebrand Factor ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Acute Episode ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Adamts13 Activity ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
Willebrand Factor

Abstract Background: Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP), a potentially fatal hematological emergency, is primarily caused by acquired deficiency of ADAMTS13 activity due to autoantibodies. Immunoglobulin G (IgG)-type autoantibodies bind ADAMTS13 and inhibit its ability to cleave endothelium-derived ultra large von Willebrand factor (ULVWF). However, it remains poorly understood whether plasma VWF status can be used as a disease marker for diagnosis and monitoring therapy in patients with acute iTTP. Objective: To address this question, we determined plasma levels of VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), collagen-binding activity (VWF:CB), active forms of VWF (VWF:Ac), and VWF multimers in iTTP patients during acute episode and in early remission. Patients and Methods: From the Alabama registry, we identified 69 unique patients with a confirmed diagnosis of iTTP in whom plasma ADAMTS13 activity was <10 U/dL with positive inhibitors and elevated anti-ADAMTS13 IgGs. Of 69 patients, 21 had longitudinal plasma samples collected. Plasma samples from 56 healthy individuals, who did not have a hematological disease, cancer, and infection, were recruited as controls. Plasma levels of VWF:Ag, VWF:CB, and VWF:Ac were determined by an ELISA-based assay. Plasma VWF multimer distribution was assessed by an in-gel Western blotting assay following electrophoresis on a 1% SDS-agarose gel. Results: The mean age for our cohort iTTP patients was 43.9 ± 13.4 years. Twenty-six patients were male and 43 were female with male to female ratio of 1 to 1.7. Fifty-three patients were African American descents, 14 Caucasians, 1 Hispanic, and 1 unknown race. Plasma levels of VWF:Ag in acute iTTP patients were 289.4 ± 17.7%, significantly increased compared with those in the healthy controls (144.9 ± 7.6%) (p<0.0001); plasma levels of VWF:CB in these patients were 241 ± 17.9%, also significantly elevated compared with those in the healthy controls (149.9 ± 12.01%) (p=0.0001); additionally, plasma levels of VWF:Ac (304.6 ± 23.2%), assessed by its ability to bind anti-VWF-A1 nanobody, were more dramatically elevated compared with those in the controls (101.6 ± 5.9%) (p<0.0001). More interestingly, while the ratios of VWF:CB to VWF:Ag in patients with acute iTTP (0.8 ± 0.04) were lower than those in the healthy controls (1.0 ± 0.05) (p=0.0036), the ratios of VWF:Ac to VWF:Ag were significantly higher in patients with acute episode (1.2 ± 0.1) than those in the controls (0.8 ± 0.05) (p=0.0003). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the patient plasma levels of VWF:Ag (p=0.69) and VWF:CB (p=0.08) during acute episode and during early remission. However, the plasma levels of VWF:Ac in patients with acute disease were significantly higher than those in the early remission (p=0.002). Surprisingly, 90% (36/40) of out iTTP patients during acute episode showed the presence of ULVWF in their plasma using in-gel Western blotting, which allows the ULVWF to be detected without the transfer step to avoid any potential loss of larger VWF multimers during protein transfer. These ULVWF multimers disappeared in 3/4 iTTP patients in remission when ADAMTS13 activity recovered. In 28 healthy control samples, only one showed ULVWF. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate, for the first time in a large cohort, that active forms of VWF and ultra large VWF multimers are present in iTTP patient's plasma during the acute period, which is reduced or disappears during the early remission. Therefore, measuring active forms of VWF and ultra large VWF multimers may aid in diagnosis of iTTP and help monitoring of disease processes following therapy. Our ongoing study is to determine whether these biomarkers can be used to predict responses to treatment and long-term outcome. Disclosures Zheng: Alexion: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

scholarly journals Open ADAMTS13, induced by antibodies, is a biomarker for subclinical immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elien Roose ◽  
An-Sofie Schelpe ◽  
Edwige Tellier ◽  
György Sinkovits ◽  
Bérangère S Joly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Adamts13 Activity ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Open Conformation ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Donor Plasma

Recently, we showed that during the acute phase of immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP), ADAMTS13 circulates in an open conformation. Although the cause of this conformational change in acute iTTP remains elusive, ADAMTS13 is mainly closed in iTTP patients (i) in remission with an ADAMTS13 activity &gt;50% and undetectable anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies, and (ii) after rituximab treatment, suggesting a role for anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies. Therefore, IgGs from 18 acute iTTP patients were purified and added to closed ADAMTS13 in healthy donor plasma. This resulted in open ADAMTS13 in 14/18 (78%) samples, proving that indeed anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies can induce an open ADAMTS13 conformation. To further elucidate the conformation of ADAMTS13 in iTTP patients, we studied a novel iTTP patient cohort (n=197) that also included plasma samples of iTTP patients in remission where ADAMTS13 activity was &lt;50%. The open ADAMTS13 conformation was not only found during acute iTTP but also in patients in remission with an ADAMTS13 activity &lt;50% and in half of the patients with an ADAMTS13 activity &gt;50%, although free anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies were not always detected. Thus open ADAMTS13 is not only a hallmark of acute iTTP, but also a novel biomarker to detect subclinical iTTP in patients in remission. Finally, a long term follow-up study in one iTTP patient showed that the open conformation precedes a severe drop in ADAMTS13 activity. In conclusion, we have shown that anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies from iTTP patients induce an open ADAMTS13 conformation. Most importantly, an open ADAMTS13 conformation is a biomarker for subclinical iTTP and could become an important tool in TTP management.

scholarly journals Relative incidence of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and haemolytic uraemic syndrome in clinically suspected cases of thrombotic microangiopathy

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Schönermarck ◽  
Wolfgang Ries ◽  
Bernd Schröppel ◽  
Lars Pape ◽  
Malgorzata Dunaj-Kazmierowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Creatinine ◽  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Adamts13 Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Relative Incidence ◽  
Severe Deficiency ◽  
Post Hoc

Abstract Background Data are lacking on the relative incidence of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) caused by Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and atypical HUS (aHUS) in patients presenting with thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs). Methods This was a prospective, cross-sectional, multicentre and non-interventional epidemiological study. Patients fulfilling criteria for TMAs (platelet consumption, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and organ dysfunction) were included in the study. The primary objective was to assess the relative incidence of TTP, STEC-HUS, aHUS and ‘other’ physician-defined diagnoses. The secondary objective was to develop an algorithm to predict a severe deficiency in ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) activity (≤10%) using routine laboratory parameters. A post hoc classification using the recent Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes diagnostic criteria was then undertaken to further classify patient groups. Results aHUS was diagnosed with a relative incidence of 61%, whereas TTP, STEC-HUS and ‘other’ were diagnosed in 13, 6 and 20% of patients, respectively. In the post hoc analysis, 27% of patients with a TMA were classified as ‘primary aHUS’ and 53% as ‘secondary aHUS’. Multivariate analysis revealed that severe deficiency in ADAMTS13 activity (≤10%) was unlikely to underlie TMA if platelet and serum creatinine were above threshold values of 30 × 109/L and 1.8 mg/dL, respectively (negative predictive value of 92.3 and 98.1, respectively, if one or both values were above the threshold). Conclusions In this study, aHUS was the most common single diagnosis among patients presenting with a TMA. In the absence of an ADAMTS13 activity result, platelet count and serum creatinine may aid in the differential diagnosis.

scholarly journals Complement Activation May Trigger the Onset of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Patients with Severe ADAMTS13 Deficiency

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 600-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Hui Hu ◽  
Jialing Bao ◽  
Yoshiyasu Ueda ◽  
Takashi Miwa ◽  
Wenchao Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Complement Activation ◽  
Factor H ◽  
Severe Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Complement Factor ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Adamts13 Activity ◽  
Activation Markers ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Adamts13 Deficiency

Abstract Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a potential fatal syndrome, is often associated with severe deficiency of plasma ADAMTS13 activity, either resulting from ADAMTS13 mutations or acquired anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies that inhibit plasma ADAMTS13 activity. Patients with severe ADAMTS13 do not always have TTP signs and symptoms, which often occur following infections or inflammatory responses. The mechanism of TTP flare is not fully understood. In the present study, complement activation markers (iC3b, C5b, Bb, and C4b) were determined by enzyme-linked absorbent assays (ELISA) in the initial plasmas (prior to plasma exchange) of 20 patients with acquired TTP with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency (less than 20% of normal) and plasmas from 20 healthy controls. Of 20 TTP patients, 19 exhibited positive inhibitor in the 50:50 mixing study. Plasma levels of iC3b (1,000 ± 1,062 ng/ml), sC5b-9 (1,342±867 ng/ml), and Bb (38.2±47.7 ng/ml), as well as C4b (74.3±49.5 ng/ml) in acquired TTP patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (p value less than 0.01) These results indicate that complement activation in both classic and alternative pathways is a common phenomenon in patients with acquired autoimmune TTP. To demonstrate the causative effect of complement activation in TTP, we turned to our Adamts13 null mice. C57BL/6 (Adamts13-/-) mice are resistant to the development of spontaneous and Shigatoxin-induced TTP syndrome. When injected with a murine specific monoclonal antibody against complement factor H (CFH) (800 micro grams/mouse), which inhibits binding of circulating CFH to endothelial cells and C3b, Adamts13-/- mice (C57BL/6) developed more severe thrombocytopenia and anemia than wild type mice did within 6 days without additional challenge. However, renal insufficiency manifested by the increase of plasma BUN concentration was similar in both groups (Fig. 1). These results indicate that complement activation through an alternative pathway, following antibody-mediated inhibition of CFH or other complement regulatory components, may trigger the onset of TTP in light of severe ADAMTS13 deficiency. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Antibody Against Macrophage Receptor with Collagenous Structure (Anti-MARCO IgG) in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Patients.

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 2201-2201
Author(s):  
Phandee Watanaboonyongcharoen ◽  
Jessica L. Allen ◽  
Yuri D. Fedoriw ◽  
Herbert C. Whinna ◽  
Rommel P. Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Adamts13 Activity ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
High Background ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Collagenous Structure

Abstract Abstract 2201 Idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is typically associated with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency due to the production of autoantibodies against ADAMTS13. Recent studies have demonstrated that B cell activating factor (BAFF), a TNF family member known to promote activation and survival of autoreactive B cells, is increased in TTP patients (Thomas et al. 2011 155:620 Br J Haematol; Watanaboonyongcharoen et al. 2011, AABB Abstract # 1118421). We hypothesized that high BAFF levels in TTP results in loss of B cell tolerance and the production of autoantibodies. Since defective clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages has been found in autoimmune diseases, antibodies against MARCO (Macrophage Receptor with Collagenous structure) represented good candidate for study as a potentially pathophysiologically relevant autoantibody. Such anti-MARCO antibodies may lead to defective apoptotic cell clearance and the development of TTP. We measured anti-MARCO antibodies by ELISA and Western blot in 34 idiopathic TTP patients between 1999 and 2012: 25 female and 9 male with a median age of 40 years (range 25–72). All patients were diagnosed on the clinical basis of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia without any other cause. ADAMTS13 activity and the presence of anti-ADAMTS13 inhibitor tests were performed in all patients. Fifty percent of patients had ADAMTS13 activity less than 10%, while 56% had ADAMTS13 inhibitor. All 34 patients underwent therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) daily until the platelet count was at least 150 × 109/l for two consecutive days. High dose steroids were initiated immediately after first TPE. While direct binding ELISA did not yield specific results due to high background, specific MARCO bands were detected by Western blotting of recombinant MARCO protein with patient plasma IgG. Ninety-seven percent of patients with TTP (33/34) were positive for anti-MARCO IgG antibody compared to forty percent (10/25) of healthy controls, p < 0.001 (Table 1). As a surrogate for antibody titer, intensity of each Western blot band was quantified by densitometry using NIH ImageJ software. Patients with TTP had significantly increased anti-MARCO IgG as defined by the densitometric area under the curve (1.3 × 103; range 0–8.2 × 103) compared to healthy controls (0, range 0–4.5 × 103), p < 0.001. A cut-off point for high titer anti-MARCO IgG was calculated by using mean + 2SD of the area under the curve (AUC) of anti-MARCO IgG Western blot band density measured in healthy controls. Patients with an increased amount of anti-MARCO IgG (AUC > 2.9× 103) tended to have a higher relapse rate compared to those with normal anti-MARCO IgG (4 of 6 patients [67%] vs. 10 of 28 patients [36%], respectively, p = 0.20), although statistical significance was not reached due to the limited number of patients. Thus, for the first time, we identify anti-MARCO IgG in idiopathic TTP, suggesting a role for macrophage inhibition in the pathophysiology of TTP. Studies of anti-MARCO antibodies in larger numbers of patients may lead to development of a novel prognostic marker for TTP patients. Table 1. Presence of anti-MARCO IgG on Western blot Anti-MARCO IgG Population group TTP n (%) Healthy n (%) Yes, (n = 43) 33 (97) 10 (40) No, (n = 16) 1 (3) 15 (60) p < 0.001. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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