Genetic Determinants of Plasma Von Willebrand Factor Antigen Levels: A Target Gene SNP and Haplotype Analysis of the ARIC Cohort

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 4310-4310
Author(s):  
Marco Campos ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
Fuli Yu ◽  
Maja Barbalic ◽  
Lloyd Chambless ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4310 Background and Objectives: Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is an essential component of hemostasis. It is known that multimer size and the amount of circulating VWF impact its hemostatic function. Genetic factors play a major role in regulating VWF synthesis and clearance and are reported to contribute to 66% of the variation in plasma VWF antigen level. We have analyzed 78 SNPs distributed throughout the VWF gene and haplotypes constructed from those SNPs for an association with VWF antigen level in 7,856 subjects of European descent in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort. Methods and Results: Blood was drawn after an 8 hour fasting period and VWF antigen level was determined by a commercial ELISA kit. All subjects underwent analysis for 78 SNPs available from Affymetrix 6.0 chip in the region encompassing the VWF gene. We used the fastPHASE 1.2 program to resolve haplotypes from the unphased SNP genotype data. Using Haploview we determined SNPs in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD), their co-segregation rates and underlying haplotypes. Linear models were used to evaluate the association of actual or log VWF antigen levels with each SNP and haplotypes derived from those SNPs. Eighteen (16 are intronic) of the 78 SNPs were found to significantly associate with levels of VWF antigen (Table 1). All are clustered in a 50 kb region of the VWF gene in spite of the fact that the 78 SNPs studied are distributed throughout the VWF gene without apparent clusters. All 78 SNPs are co-segregated in 9 LD haplotype blocks, but a majority of positive SNPs (88.9%) are located in Block 5 and 6, which significantly correlate with VWF antigen level. The O blood type contributes to ∼ 15% of variation in VWF antigen levels. The association for SNPs and Haplotypes grows stronger after ABO effects are removed. Among non-genomic factors, age and BMI are the most significant factors and contribute to 4.8% and 1.4% of variation in VWF antigen level. Conclusions: We have found a strongly positive association between VWF level and SNPs and haplotypes from a strikingly concentrated region of the VWF gene. This region encodes the D2, D' and D3 domains of VWF, including the propeptide and multimerization and Factor VIII binding sites. The physiological significance of these clustered SNPs on VWF synthesis or clearance remains to be further investigated. Our data suggest that this region plays an important role in regulating VWF antigen level and support the idea that combinations of SNPs in LD can provide additive affects. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (11) ◽  
pp. 880-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura L. Swystun ◽  
Kenichi Ogiwara ◽  
Orla Rawley ◽  
Christine Brown ◽  
Ilinca Georgescu ◽  
...  

Abstract Factor VIII (FVIII) pharmacokinetic (PK) properties show high interpatient variability in hemophilia A patients. Although previous studies have determined that age, body mass index, von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag) levels, and ABO blood group status can influence FVIII PK, they do not account for all observed variability. In this study, we aim to describe the genetic determinants that modify the FVIII PK profile in a population of 43 pediatric hemophilia A patients. We observed that VWF:Ag and VWF propeptide (VWFpp)/VWF:Ag, but not VWFpp, were associated with FVIII half-life. VWFpp/VWF:Ag negatively correlated with FVIII half-life in patients with non-O blood type, but no correlation was observed for type O patients, suggesting that von Willebrand factor (VWF) half-life, as modified by the ABO blood group, is a strong regulator of FVIII PK. The FVIII-binding activity of VWF positively correlated with FVIII half-life, and the rare or low-frequency nonsynonymous VWF variants p.(Arg826Lys) and p.(Arg852Glu) were identified in patients with reduced VWF:FVIIIB but not VWF:Ag. Common variants at the VWF, CLEC4M, and STAB2 loci, which have been previously associated with plasma levels of VWF and FVIII, were associated with the FVIII PK profile. Together, these studies characterize the mechanistic basis by which VWF clearance and ABO glycosylation modify FVIII PK in a pediatric population. Moreover, this study is the first to identify non-VWF and non-ABO variants that modify FVIII PK in pediatric hemophilia A patients.


Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 93 (12) ◽  
pp. 4277-4283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela M. Keightley ◽  
Y. Miu Lam ◽  
Jolene N. Brady ◽  
Cherie L. Cameron ◽  
David Lillicrap

Abstract Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the normal population variability of plasma von Willebrand Factor (vWF) levels, however, regulatory mechanisms at the vWF gene locus itself have not yet been identified. We have investigated the association between polymorphic variation in the 5′-regulatory region of the vWF gene and levels of plasma vWF:Ag in a study of 261 group O blood donors. Three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the vWF promoter: C/T at -1234, A/G at -1185, and G/A at -1051. These SNPs had identical allele frequencies of 0.36 for the -1234C, -1185A, and -1051G alleles and 0.64 for the -1234T, -1185G, and -1051A alleles and were in strong linkage disequilibrium. In fact, these polymorphisms segregated as two distinct haplotypes: -1234C/-1185A/-1051G (haplotype 1) and -1234T/-1185G/-1051A (haplotype 2) with 12.6% of subjects homozygous for haplotype 1, 40.6% homozygous for haplotype 2, and 42.5% of subjects heterozygous for both haplotypes. Only 4.3% of individuals had other genotypes. A significant association between promoter genotype and level of plasma vWF:Ag was established (analysis of covariance [ANCOVA], P = .008; Kruskal-Wallis test,P = .006); individuals with the CC/AA/GG genotype had the highest mean vWF:Ag levels (0.962 U/mL), intermediate values of vWF:Ag (0.867 U/mL) were observed for heterozygotes (CT/AG/GA), and those with the TT/GG/AA genotype had the lowest mean plasma vWF:Ag levels (0.776 U/mL). Interestingly, when the sample was subgrouped according to age, the significant association between promoter genotype and plasma vWF:Ag level was accentuated in subjects > 40 years of age (analysis of variance [ANOVA], P = .003; Kruskal-Wallis test, P= .001), but was not maintained for subjects ≤ 40 years of age (ANOVA, P > .4; Kruskal-Wallis test, P > .4). In the former subgroup, mean levels of plasma vWF:Ag for subjects with the CC/AA/GG, CT/AG/GA, and TT/GG/AA genotypes were 1.075, 0.954, and 0.794 U/mL, respectively. By searching a transcription factor binding site profile database, these polymorphic sequences were predicted to interact with several transcription factors expressed in endothelial cells, including Sp1, GATA-2, c-Ets, and NFκB. Furthermore, the binding sites at the -1234 and -1051 SNPs appeared to indicate allelic preferences for some of these proteins. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) performed with recombinant human NFκB p50 showed preferential binding of the -1234T allele (confirmed by supershift EMSAs), and EMSAs using bovine aortic endothelial cell (BAEC) nuclear extracts produced specific binding of a nuclear protein to the -1051A allele, but not the -1051G allele. These findings suggest that circulating levels of vWF:Ag may be determined, at least in part, by polymorphic variation in the promoter region of the vWF gene, and that this association may be mediated by differential binding of nuclear proteins involved in the regulation of vWF gene expression.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 953-963 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Albánez ◽  
K. Ogiwara ◽  
A. Michels ◽  
W. Hopman ◽  
J. Grabell ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 101 (02) ◽  
pp. 298-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viviana Daidone ◽  
Maria Grazia Cattini ◽  
Elena Pontara ◽  
Francesca Sartorello ◽  
Lisa Gallinaro ◽  
...  

SummaryVon Willebrand factor (VWF) levels vary considerably in normal individuals, influenced by inherited and acquired modulators. ABO blood group is the major inherited determinant of VWF levels, but a role has also been attributed to the VWF gene promoter, haplotype 1 (-3268G/-2709C/-2661A/-2527G) being associated with higher VWF levels than haplotype 2 (-3268C/-2709T/-2661G/-2527A), and the polymorphic locus (GT)n modulating the shear stress-induced activation of the VWF promoter. We characterized the (GT)n of the VWF promoter in 394 healthy individuals and assessed whether its variable length influenced VWF levels in normal conditions. (GT)n proved highly polymorphic, with alleles from 15 to 24 repeats long. (GT)21 and (GT)19 were the most common variants (37.4% and 34.4%, respectively). Short GT repeats (15–19) segregated mainly with haplotype 1, long GT repeats (20–24) with haplotype 2 (p<0.0001). The number of GT repeats did not correlate with VWF levels, nor did such levels correlate with haplotypes 1 and 2, considered alone or in association with the (GT)n locus. We conclude that (GT)n and -3268/-2709/-2661/-2527 loci are in strong linkage disequilibrium. This polymorphic region of the VWF promoter does not affect VWF levels under normal conditions, though it might represent an environmentally activable VWF regulation site.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 3002-3002
Author(s):  
Suping Li ◽  
Zhicheng Wang ◽  
Yi Liao ◽  
Guanglei Liu ◽  
Weilin Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3002 Poster Board II-979 Background: The interaction of glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha with von Willebrand factor (VWF) initiates the adherence of platelets to sites of vascular injury, simultaneously triggers intracellular signaling events such as elevation of cytoplasmic calcium and activations of multiple protein kinase pathways which result in the activation of the ligand binding function of GPIIb/IIIa, leading to platelet activation and thrombus formation. The intracellular signaling protein 14-3-3ζ and the membrane skeleton protein filamin A have been confirmed to interact with the intracellular domain of GPIbalpha and play important roles in the regulation of platelet function. The signaling events elicited by GPIbalpha-VWF interaction, such as calcium mobilization and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure are similar to those occurring during apoptosis. Particularly, the 14-3-3ζ binding domain of GPIbalpha has been reported to involve in the regulation of cell proliferations. However, it is still unclear whether the GPIbalpha-VWF interaction induces platelet apoptosis. Objectives: To investigate whether the GPIbalpha-VWF interaction induces platelet apoptosis and the role of 14-3-3ζ in apoptotic signaling. Methods: Apoptotic events were assessed in platelets or Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing GPIb-IX (1b9) interacted with VWF by flow cytometry or Western blotting. Results: Ristocetin induced GPIbalpha-VWF interaction elicited apoptotic events in platelets, including phosphatidylserine exposure, elevations of Bax and Bak, gelsolin cleavage, and depolarization of mitochondrial inner transmembrane potential. Apoptotic events were also elicited in platelets exposed to pathologic shear stresses in the presence of VWF, however, the shear-induced apoptosis was eliminated by anti-GPIbalpha antibody AK-2. Furthermore, apoptotic events occurred in 1b9 cells stimulated with VWF and ristocetin, but were significantly diminished in two CHO cell lines expressing mutant GPIb-IX with truncation of the cytoplasmic domain of GPIbalpha or a serine-to-alanine mutation at 14-3-3ζ binding site in GPIbalpha. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the GPIbalpha-VWF interaction induces apoptotic events in platelets and association of 14-3-3ζ with the cytoplasmic domain of GPIbalpha is essential for apoptotic signaling. The finding may suggest a novel mechanism for platelet clearance or some thrombocytopenic diseases. The reagents that block 14-3-3ζ-GPIbalpha interaction might be potentially useful in platelet storage or anti-thrombocytopenia. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 2217-2217
Author(s):  
Rachel Holden ◽  
Angie Tuttle ◽  
Francis MacLeod ◽  
Toni Burbidge ◽  
Carol Hegadorn ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 2217 In order to evaluate the possible role of abnormalities of von Willebrand factor in the hemostatic defects seen in indivdiuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), a cohort study was performed evaluating pre- and post-dialysis levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF), VWF multimer profiles and levels of its cleaving protease, ADAMTS-13. There were 57 subjects (31 males, 26 females) enrolled with CKD with a mean age of 75 years (range 60 – 90). Subjects with known vascular disease were recruited; 49 (86%) had documented ischemic heart disease, 16 (29%) had cerebrovascular disease and 17 (31%) had peripheral vascular disease. A little over half had diabetes mellitus (30 subjects or 54%), 37 (67%) were on antiplatelet therapy and 7 (13%) were chronically anticoagulated with warfarin. Blood samples were drawn immediately pre- and again post-dialysis and all results were compared with a group of age-matched normal controls (Table 1). As has been previously reported, VWF antigen levels (VWF:Ag) and VWF functional activity as measured by the ristocetin cofactor assay (VWF:RCo) were higher in the pre-dialysis samples compared with controls, and both levels were increased even further following dialysis. Additionally, the percentage of high molecular weight VWF multimers (% HMWM) were significantly increased in the pre-dialysis samples compared with controls. This is a novel finding, and the level of % HMWM seen in the subjects is similar to what has been reported in individuals with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP). This difference decreased following dialysis, potentially due to the effect of shear stress on VWF and the resultant proteolytic processing, however still remained significantly higher when compared with controls. ADAMTS-13 functional activity was lower in the subjects compared with controls, providing a possibly explanation for the increase in % HMWM. IL-6 levels are higher in subjects compared with controls. IL-6, which is an inflammatory cytokine known to be increased in patients with CKD, has been previously reported as a marker of inactivation of ADAMTS-13. Two years after enrollment, follow up of the subjects revealed that 22 had died, 17 from documented cardiovascular events. Higher VWF levels at the time of enrollment significantly correlated with risk of death (p=0.041) during the study period. The increase in % HMWM suggests that a “TTP-like phenotype” may also be playing a role. Taken together, these data suggest that both quantitative and qualitative abnormalities of VWF contribute to the risk of thrombotic death in chronic kidney disease. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3677-3677
Author(s):  
Mirjeta Qorraj ◽  
Tanja Falter ◽  
Sarah Steinemann ◽  
Thomas Vigh ◽  
Inge Scharrer

Abstract Abstract 3677 Introduction: The hemostatic activity of von Willebrand Factor (VWF) is mainly controlled by the plasma metalloprotease ADAMTS13, which cleaves ultralarge VWF multimers. A qualitative or quantitative deficiency of VWF induces the most common hemorrhagic diathesis, the von Willebrand Disease (VWD). The current classification graduates the VWD in three major types. Depending on severity and the type of VWD the treatment with VWF/FVIII concentrates may by necessary. The commercially available VWF/FVIII concentrates differ in their multimer structure and furthermore also in their pharmacokinetics. We investigated commercial VWF concentrates with respect to their ADAMTS 13 activity and antigen levels with the newest available methods. Moreover, to detect a possible correlation, we analysed the VWF multimer structure of the concentrates. Methods: We analysed 4 human derived VWF/VIII-concentrates (over all 7charges) after reconstitution according to the manufacturer's instructions in different dilutions. Following methods were used: BCS Method according to Böhm detects the capacity of the concentrates for autoproteolysis. The VWF solutions were diluted with 5mol/l urea and then incubated for 14–16h at 37°C in low ionic TRIS buffer containing BaCl2 and different plasma samples: pool plasma; plasma from patients with TTP with neutralizing ADAMTS13 auto-antibodies; plasma from patients with TTP without auto-antibodies. The residual VWF:Ristocetin Cofactor (VWF:RCo) activity was subsequently measured using the BC von Willebrand Reagent from Dade Behring. ELISA Technozym®ADAMTS13 and Actifluor TM ADAMTS13 are based on the kinetic measurements of the activity with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). ADAMTS13 antigen was measured by use of the Technozym ELISA kit. SDS-Gel electrophoresis in 1% Agarose Gel was used to investigate the structure of VWF multimers. Results: The BCS Method according to Böhm is an indirect measurement for endogenous ADAMTS13 activity in the investigated concentrate. Important is the loss of the residual VWF:RCo in the concentrates in presence of TTP-plasma without antibodies and pool plasma compared to the residual VWF:RCo in presence of TTP-plasma with antibodies. All concentrates show some ADAMTS13 activity, however product 1 contains more ADAMTS13 than the other concentrates. The results of the two FRETS-assays correspond very well to the BCS-method results; in addition the assays detect directly the ADAMTS13 activity also in very low measurement range. In a dilution of 16U VWF per ml concentrate the ADAMTS13 activity in product 1 with 4.3% was the highest compared to product 2: 3.2%, product 3: 2.6% and product 4: 2%. The great variability of the test results in higher concentrations may be caused by interferences between some constituents of the concentrates and the analysis. In the same sample set and dilution the ADAMTS13 antigen values correlate very well with ADAMTS13 activity values. The SDS gel electrophoresis reveals the different VWF structure of product1; it has less large and ultralarge multimers. There could be a correlation to the relatively higher ADAMTS13 activity and antigen level. Conclusion: All the investigated VWF/VIII concentrates contain some ADAMTS13 activity and antigen. This was found especially by FRETs assay due to the high sensitivity. Because of the correlation between ADAMTS13 activity and modified VWF multimer structure we like to conclude that ADAMTS13 has influence on stability and therefore also on quality of the concentrates. This might have a therapeutic consequence especially for VWD type 2A. Type 2A is characterized by a relative reduction of intermediate and large VWF multimer. The multimeric abnormalities are commonly the result of in vivo proteolytic degradation of the von Willebrand factor caused by ADAMTS13. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 541-541
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Castaman ◽  
Sofia Helene Giacomelli ◽  
Paula M. Jacobi ◽  
Tobias Obser ◽  
Reinhard Schneppenheim ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 541 Background. Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is caused by mutations in von Willebrand factor (VWF) that have different pathophysiologic effect in causing low plasma VWF levels. Type 1 VWD includes patients with quantitative plasma VWF deficiency with normal VWF structure and function. Aim of the study. We report three different novel type 1 VWF mutations (A1716P, C2190Y and R2663C) which although located in different VWF domains are associated with reduced secretion and lack of formation of Weibel-Palade body-like granules. Methods. Transient expression of recombinant mutant full-length VWF in 293 EBNA cells was performed and secretion, collagen binding, and GpIb binding assessed in comparison to wild-type VWF. Furthermore, expression was also examined in HEK293 cells that form Weibel-Palade body (WPB)-like granules when transfected with wt VWF. Results. The multimer analysis of plasma VWF was compatible with type 1 VWD. The results of 3 different expression experiments showed a slightly reduced VWF synthesis and drastically impaired secretion into the medium with homozygous expression. In HEK293 cells, homozygous A1716P and C2190Y VWF variants failed to form WPB-like granules, while R2663C was capable of forming granules, but had fewer cells with granules and more with ER-localized VWF. Heterozygous expression of A1716P and C2160Y VWF variants had a negative impact on wild-type VWF and WPB-like granules were observed in transfected cells. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that homozygous and heterozygous quantitative VWF deficiency caused by missense VWF mutations can be associated with inability to form endothelial Weibel-Palade-like granules and mutations in different VWF domains can affect the formation of these organelles. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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