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Biomedical subjects

C Boyer-Neumann

Publications and source records attributed to C Boyer-Neumann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Pulmonary arterial hypertension of chronic thrombo-embolic origin. 70 patients].

OBJECTIVES: Chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension is a rare and aberrant outcome of acute pulmonary embolism. Because it has become a potentially curable form of pulmonary hypertension, the frequency of recognized cases has increased. We report a case series of 70 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension evaluated in our institution between 1984 and 1993, and discuss diagnostic clues and therapeutic approaches. RESULTS: All patients complained of dyspnoea on exertion. A history of acute thrombo-embolic events and lung murmurs were found in 60% and 17% of patients respectively. Coagulation disorders were found in 30% of the patients tested; the most common abnormality was lupus anticoagulant. The key non-invasive study for diagnosis was the lung perfusion scan which showed at least one segmental or wider perfusion defects in all patients. Pulmonary angiography confirmed the diagnosis in all cases and, sometimes associated with intravascular ultrasound imaging, established the feasibility of thromboendarterectomy. Medical therapy included the use of long-term oral anticoagulant, and in case of lower limb venous thrombosis, inferior vena cava filtration. Finally two surgical procedures were discussed in selected patients: thromboendarterectomy and lung transplantation. Since 1988, eight patients have benefited from lung transplantation (six patients are still alive) and 11 patients underwent thromboendarterectomy which was successful in 9 patients leading to dramatic functional and haemodynamic improvement. CONCLUSION: Chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension is a severe, sometimes fatal, disease which can be successfully treated by pulmonary thromboendartectomy and lung transplantation.

Adult↗

A novel case of compound heterozygosity with "Normandy"/type I von Willebrand disease (vWD). Direct demonstration of the segregation of one allele with a defective expression at the mRNA level causing type I vWD.

We report the case of a family with type I von Willebrand disease (vWD), characterized by a quantitative defect in von Willebrand factor (vWF), associated with a defective binding of vWF to factor VIII (FVIII) also called the "Normandy" variant of vWD. PCR products from genomic DNA of the family members were analysed in the region coding for the binding domain of vWF to FVIII. It showed that the proposita and one of her sons were heterozygous for the Arg91Gln missense mutation, abolishing an MspI restriction enzyme site located in exon 20. The transcription of the normal and mutated alleles was tested by the amplification of cDNA after reverse transcription of platelet mRNA in this region. A total lack of expression of the normal allele was observed in the proposita, who appeared as a compound heterozygous with one allele mutated at Arg91 and a "silent" expression of the other one. The segregation of the "silent" allele was studied in the family with the exonic BstEII RFLP both at the DNA and mRNA levels. The proposita has transmitted her "silent" allele to her daughter and to another son. As this son was informative for this RFLP, the absence of expression of the allele could be demonstrated at the mRNA level, providing evidence that this defect was responsible for his type I vWD.

Alleles↗

New direct assay of free protein S antigen using two distinct monoclonal antibodies specific for the free form.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for free protein S and devoid of reactivity with protein S-C4b-BP complexes, have been produced. A one-step sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) has been developed with two mAbs reacting with distinct epitopes of free protein S. F(ab')2 fragments from mAb 15C4 were coated on microplates and mAb 34G2 conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was added immediately before diluted plasma. The presence of calcium in the sample diluent prevented dissociation of complexes during the assay. This assay was specific as demonstrated by good recovery of purified protein S added to plasma and the lack of influence of C4B-BP-protein S complexes. Thus, addition of increasing amounts of purified C4B-BP to human citrated plasma induced a dose-dependent decrease of free protein S. The assay was sensitive, allowing measurement of 5-500 ng/ml of free protein S, with a detection threshold of 2 ng/ml. It was also reproducible with inter-assay and intra-assay variation coefficients of 2.5-5.1% and 3.1-5.0%, respectively. Thus, this new ELISA of free protein S antigen in plasma has the advantages of being fast, accurate and reproducible. It appears to be extremely useful for routine studies as no preliminary treatment of plasma is required.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Clinical applications of a direct assay of free protein S antigen using monoclonal antibodies. A study of 59 cases.

A new one-step ELISA using two monoclonal antibodies specific for distinct epitopes of the free form of protein S (ELISA-m) has been developed for the direct measurement of free protein S in untreated plasma. This assay has been compared with the classic method using polyclonal antibodies to protein S (ELISA-p). The latter method has the drawback of requiring PEG precipitation of plasma which is time-consuming, difficult to perform with accuracy and therefore poorly reproducible in most laboratories. Results of both ELISAs were compared with those of a functional assay. In 30 normal subjects, there was an excellent correlation between ELISA-m and ELISA-p (r = 0.95) as well as between ELISA-m and the functional assay (r = 0.96). In twelve patients with a congenital deficiency, the levels of free protein S antigen were similarly decreased with ELISA-m and ELISA-p and in good agreement with those of protein S activity. In 20 patients with miscellaneous inflammatory diseases, the levels of free proteins S were normal with good correlation between both ELISAs and PS activity, despite high levels of C4bBP-protein S complexes. As expected, in 15 dicoumarol-treated patients, there was a significant and parallel decrease of free protein S antigen with both ELISAs, with even lower levels of protein S activity. In 14 patients with liver cirrhosis, the mean values for free protein S antigen were normal using both assays, but with wide extreme values, whereas protein S activity was significantly lower.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Interaction of von Willebrand factor with platelets activated by thrombin or a synthetic 7-amino acid peptide derived from the cleaved thrombin receptor.

Thrombin and the 7-mer agonist peptide from its receptor (SFLLRNP) were compared for their ability to promote the binding of vWF to platelets. Identical Ca(2+)-dependence and kinetics of activation were observed. Studies of inhibition of the binding by a series of monoclonal antibodies to GPIb, GPIIb/IIIa and vWF and experiments performed using platelets from patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia or Bernard-Soulier syndrome enabled to identify GPIIb/IIIa as the receptor of vWF. Binding isotherms of vWF in the presence of an excess of either agonist yielded a similar number of binding sites but an apparent dissociation constant slightly but consistently higher with the 7-mer peptide than with thrombin. The latter point was confirmed by studying the binding of limiting amounts of vWF to platelets as a function of the agonist concentration. The lower affinity in the presence of 7-mer peptide was not corrected by adding increasing amounts of FPR-thrombin, a derivative with irreversibly blocked active site but retaining the binding properties of the active enzyme. Conversely, the higher affinity observed with thrombin was decreased when platelets were treated with Serratia protease which selectively cleaved GPIb but did not affect the function of the thrombin receptor and GPIIb/IIa. Our data thus suggest that both the 7-mer peptide and thrombin are able to induce the assembly of functional GPIIb/IIIa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bernard-Soulier Syndrome↗

Comparison of functional assays for protein S: European collaborative study of patients with congenital and acquired deficiency.

Four functional assays for protein S were evaluated by 4 different laboratories, each center using its own method. The aim of this study was to compare these different assays and to establish a relationship with results of immunological assays of total and free protein S antigen and C4bBP. The same plasma samples were distributed to each center and tested in blind. In 47 normal subjects, there was no significant difference between the 4 functional assays, with mean values ranging from 93 to 100%. These values were in good agreement with those of free and total protein S antigen. In 34 patients with a quantitative congenital deficiency of protein S the mean values of protein S activity were decreased with the 4 assays, ranging from 25 to 40%. Free protein S antigen was reduced to a similar extent, whereas total antigen was either normal or decreased. The correlation of protein S activity with free protein S antigen was satisfactory for 3 methods, with coefficients of correlation varying from 0.84 to 0.92 whereas it was only 0.70 in one lab. When total protein S antigen was reduced, protein S activity was decreased in all the patients with the 4 assays. In contrast when total protein S antigen was normal an important overlap of protein S activity between normals and patients was observed in one lab with 12 patients misclassified. In 8 patients with a functional defect, results of protein S activity differed substantially according to the assay used and about half of these patients were misclassified.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

Functional analysis of the Arg91Gln substitution in the factor VIII binding domain of von Willebrand factor demonstrates variable phenotypic expression.

An Arg91Gln substitution in the mature von Willebrand factor (vWF) has been associated with defective binding of vWF to factor VIII (FVIII). We studied four families with members initially classified as having type I von Willebrand disease (vWD) who were either homozygous or heterozygous for the Arg91Gln change. The first family was the original case described by Nishino et al. (1) where three members were homozygous for the Gln91 allele. They had a low FVIII coagulant activity:vWF antigen (VIIIC:vWFAg) ratio, from 0.29 to 0.44, and the ability of their plasma vWF to bind FVIII was markedly decreased. All the heterozygous members had normal vWF and FVIII levels but the capacity of their plasma vWF to bind FVIII was reduced and intermediate between the homozygous members and normals. The affected individual from the second family was heterozygous for the Gln91 allele and demonstrated a VIIIC:vWFAg ratio of 0.98. The FVIII binding assay confirmed the heterozygous status indicating that the moderately low levels of vWF were due to reduced expression of both alleles. The propositus from the third family was also heterozygous and had below normal levels of vWF as well as a low VIIIC:vWFAg ratio of 0.34; however, FVIII binding to her plasma vWF was similar to that of the homozygous individuals suggesting that Gln91-vWF was the major circulating form. Her daughter who has type I vWD inherited the allele without the Gln91 mutation indicating that the expression of this allele was indeed impaired. The heterozygous patient in the fourth family had a vWF level of 24 U/dl but an VIIIC:vWFAg ratio greater than 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alleles↗

The mutation in fibrinogen Bicêtre II (gamma Asn308-->Lys) does not affect the binding of t-PA and plasminogen to fibrin.

The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions of t-PA and plasminogen with fibrin derived from an abnormal fibrinogen detected in a 40-year-old male patient who had had an episode of thrombophlebitis with pulmonary embolism. An abnormal fibrinogen was diagnosed on the basis of prolonged thrombin and reptilase times also detected in two other family members. Fibrinogen purified from plasma, in the presence of protease inhibitors, by glycine precipitations, gel filtration and affinity chromatography, was devoid of plasminogen, fibronectin, and vWf. SDS-PAGE analysis according to Laemmli under reducing conditions, showed an abnormal gamma chain (approximately 50% of the total) migrating in a more anodic position (M(r) 48 kDa). By PCR amplification and DNA sequencing, the abnormality was identified as an Asn308-->Lys mutation of the gamma chain. Since such a mutation constitutes a new plasmin cleavage site as first reported for fibrinogen Kyoto I, it may modify interactions of plasminogen and t-PA with carboxy-terminal lysine residues. Ligand-binding studies were therefore performed using intact and plasmin-degraded fibrin surfaces obtained from the abnormal fibrinogen. The plasminogen and t-PA binding isotherms obtained with the abnormal fibrinogen were similar to the control. Moreover, the stimulation by fibrin of plasminogen activation by t-PA was not different from the control. These results suggest (i) that the lysine 308 residue may not be exposed to plasmin cleavage in fibrin, and (ii) that the thrombotic accident of the propositus cannot be explained by an abnormality of the plasminogen/t-PA binding to fibrin.

Adult↗

Decreased protein S activity in sickle cell disease.

In sickle cell disease (SCD), vaso-occlusion is a complex process involving cellular, vascular and humoral factors and possibly thrombotic events. We studied three physiological inhibitors of the coagulation system, antithrombin III (AT III), protein C (PC) and protein S (PS), in three groups of subjects: 27 homozygous patients observed either in crisis or in a steady state, 23 heterozygous patients and 30 healthy subjects. PS study included the measurement of total and free PS antigen, PS activity and C4bBP antigen. In heterozygous subjects the results were similar to those of controls, but in homozygous subjects abnormalities of PS and to a lesser extent PC were observed. Values of PC were extremely variable with 10 cases lower than the normal range (2 SD of the mean) and 17 others within this range. In all cases total PS antigen was slightly reduced (77 +/- 18%, M +/- SD) with a more marked decrease of free antigen (59 +/- 17%) and normal values of C4bBP. Levels of PS activity were greatly reduced and lower than those of free antigen with a mean ratio of PS activity to free antigen of 0.6. These abnormalities were associated with significantly high concentrations of fibrinogen D-dimers. PS deficiency in SCD may be at least partly due to adsorption of free PS to aminophospholipids abnormally expressed on sickle cells membranes, microvesicles and activated platelets, while the discrepancy between PS activity and free antigen could reflect proteolytic inactivation of PS by traces of thrombin.

Adolescent↗

Endothelial cell dysfunction in HIV infection.

We have investigated plasma levels of endothelial cell products playing a role in hemostasis in 125 HIV-positive patients and 30 controls. Antigenic von Willebrand factor increased significantly with disease progression and was closely correlated with CD4+ cell counts and beta 2-microglobulin levels. Tissue-type plasminogen activator was normal in CDC II/III and CDC IVC2 patients and was slightly increased in AIDS patients, whereas plasminogen activator inhibitor was increased in each group, the stage of the disease not having any effect. Mean total protein S levels were lower in HIV-positive patients and, in 27.2% of the cases, were associated with a decrease in free protein S levels. Such abnormalities could be responsible for a hypercoagulable state in these patients and could be explained by endothelial cell damage during HIV infection. Whether this injury is due to HIV itself remains to be further investigated.

Adult↗

Functional assay of protein S in 70 patients with congenital and acquired disorders.

A functional assay for the selective measurement of the active form of protein S in plasma, based on the prolongation of an APTT, was previously developed. This assay is sensitive, reproducible and specific, not affected by other clotting factors including FVIII. This method was applied to the measurement of protein S activity in congenital and acquired disorders. Results of protein S activity were compared to those of total and free antigen measured by ELISA. In 30 controls, there was an excellent correlation between protein S activity and free antigen. In patients with inflammatory disease, protein S activity and free antigen were normal, despite high levels of both C4b-binding protein and total protein S antigen. In dicoumarol-treated patients, protein S activity was lower than free antigen due to the presence of acarboxylated forms. Surprisingly, in liver cirrhosis, free antigen was only slightly decreased whereas protein S activity was significantly reduced. In 23 patients with congenital deficiency, protein S activity was consistently decreased, from less than 5% to 60% and showed good correlation with the free antigen. This functional assay allows the rapid diagnosis of congenital or acquired deficiency of protein S.

Adult↗

Familial variant of antithrombin III (AT III Bligny, 47Arg to His) associated with protein C deficiency.

The association of a variant of antithrombin III (AT III Bligny) and protein C deficiency is described in a 36-year-old patient having suffered from severe thrombotic episodes. His mother has protein C deficiency and showed a single episode of thrombophlebitis following surgery. His father, sister and daughter have the variant AT III and are asymptomatic. The abnormal AT III was characterized in plasma by the discrepancy between a normal progressive activity and a reduced heparin cofactor activity. This variant AT III was purified, separated from the normal protein by heparin-Sepharose chromatography and was eluted with increased NaCl concentrations. At pH 7.4, the variant AT III eluted at lower (0.3 to 0.5 M) NaCl concentrations than normal (1 to 1.5 M) AT III, thus demonstrating a decreased affinity for heparin. At pH 6.0, however, the abnormal molecule bound more avidly to heparin-Sepharose and was eluted like normal AT III at pH 7.4. Similarly, the heparin enhancement of intrinsic fluorescence of the variant AT III, markedly reduced at pH 7.4, was normalized at pH 6.0. The abnormal AT III showed a normal antiprotease activity, a normal molecular weight by SDS-PAGE, but displayed only a partial immunological identity with the normal protein. Analysis of amplified genomic DNA from this patient by dot-blot demonstrates a heterozygous substitution of arginine by histidine at position 47.

Adult↗

Factors affecting the stability of tPA and PAI-1 during storage and handling of human plasma for in vitro studies: implications in the determination of tPA and PAI-1 activities.

Factors that influence the physico-chemical conditions of plasma (e.g. pH, dilution, freezing, storage) and thereby the stability of tPA and PAI-1 activities, have been studied and optimized using a solid-phase fibrin-tPA activity assay. Optimal recovery of tPA activity was at a pH of 6.8 +/- 0.2, while at the pHs usually found in thawed plasma, i.e. pH 7.6-8.2, the activity was lower and showed great variability. Free tPA activity was tested in undiluted plasma, while plasma diluted 1:20 was used to recover maximal tPA activity. The corrected value for the diluted plasma and the value for the euglobulin suspensions were similar. In both cases the pH optimum was 7.4. PAI activity levels were tested in undiluted plasma and showed no variations after venous occlusion. Our results indicate that the in vitro determination of tPA activity is directly related to the pH of thawed plasma and not to the freezing procedure or the temperature of storage. Therefore, thawed plasma should be tested at a pH giving the maximal recovery of tPA activity in a particular assay method.

Adult↗