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J Oldenburg

Publications and source records attributed to J Oldenburg.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Gathering and evaluation of phenotype data of haemophilia A patients for correlation with genotype data].

Haemophilia A is caused by a genetic defect of the factor VIII gene resulting in complete or considerable functional loss of factor VIII molecule within blood. The high bleeding risk of patients can be prevented by intravenous injections of factor VIII protein. However, 25% of patients affected with severe haemophilia, develop factor VIII antibodies against the concentrate substituted. Within this study we try to comprise the phenotypic parameters (e. g. detailed documentation of disease course, basic laboratory values) and the therapy-associated data (e. g. applicated type and amount of factor VIII, number of substitutions, factor VIII recovery, inhibitor development and inhibitor elimination). We hope to identify differences of variable therapeutic treatments on course of disease as already identified for the factor VIII gene defects. At least we expect that certain mutations and mutation types, respectively, can be referred to typical phenotypes and similar course of treatment protocols.

Databases, Factual↗

Inhibitor development in correlation to factor VIII genotypes.

Alloantibodies (inhibitors) against factor VIII (FVIII) develop in 20-30% of patients with severe haemophilia A and render classical FVIII substitution therapy ineffective. Several studies have shown that genetic factors, the type of FVIII gene mutation and immune response genes (e.g. the Major Histocompatibility Complexes), influence the risk of inhibitor formation. In particular, the type of FVIII gene mutation has proven to be a decisive risk factor. Patients with severe molecular gene defects (e.g. large deletions, nonsense mutations, intron-22 inversion) and no endogenous FVIII synthesis have a 7-10 times higher inhibitor prevalence than patients with milder molecular gene defects (e.g. missense mutations, small deletions, splice site mutations). To date, at least 10 distinct classes of mutations have been shown which have differing risks of associated inhibitor formation. A challenging observation in inhibitor patients is the heterogeneity of the antibody epitopes with respect to their number and their specificity. At least five epitopes in the FVIII molecule have been identified that constitute the targets for antibodies in most inhibitor patients. These epitopes are located in the ar3 region and the A2, A3, C1, C2 domains which correspond to the functional binding sites of the ligands of the FVIII protein. At present, the determinants of the characteristics of these epitopes and the subsequent inhibitor titre are unknown. A relationship of the mutation site and the epitope localization has been shown for some individual patients with mild haemophilia A. However, in severely affected haemophilia A patients, the influence of patient genetics on inhibitor titre and epitope specificity has yet to be elucidated.

Antibodies↗

Quality management and quality assurance in haemophilia care: a model at the Bonn haemophilia centre.

The severe clotting defects associated with the diagnosis of severe haemophilia A and B require a quality management and quality assurance system designed to avoid both bleeding sequelae (such as damaged joints) through early on-demand or prophylactic treatment in a home-care setting, and side-effects such as infectious diseases (hepatitis A-G and human immunodeficiency virus), allergic reactions, haemolysis and if possible inhibitor formation, by using highly purified, virus-inactivated or recombinant products in which the factor VIII and IX proteins are as natural as possible. As the intravenous injection of the required clotting factor is entrusted to the patients in home treatment, the haemophilia centre has to check treatment protocols and, when necessary, joint and muscle status. In addition, it is imperative to ensure the safety of the product, and checks must be carried out to make sure that batch numbers are recalled as soon as possible if side-effects are observed. These are the reasons for several Acts of Parliament in Germany requiring special treatments and regular checks (the Disabled Act, recommendations by the German Medical Council, the Transfusion Act). Thus, at the haemophilia centre in Bonn we have established a special quality management and quality assurance system taking into account the great number of patients (> 800), the often considerable distance between the centre and the patient, and the aforementioned regulations and laws. Quality management involves dealing with daily practicalities such as 24-h availability of a physician, medical technologist and nurse, careful instruction of patient and family in home care, genetic counselling, regular laboratory tests (especially recovery time, half-life, inhibitors and gene defects, clinical chemistry and serology) and clinical investigations (especially joint and muscle status). It also includes co-operation with family doctors and different departments at our university hospital (e.g. orthopaedic, microbiology), daily conferences with staff, information for nursery schools, schools, training institutions and/or the workplace in case of emergency, and cooperation with German haemophilia foundations. For quality assurance, several self-controlling systems are in place, such as distribution of concentrate, laboratory data, treatment protocols, joint and muscle status and bleeding tendencies. All these and more are double-checked and interactive, controlling data and activities with the help of EDP. Exceptional staff motivation and patient compliance are important for this quality system.

Germany↗

[An uncommon cause of severe soft tissue bleeding during phenprocoumon treatment].

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 66-year-old patient presented to our clinic with extensive left arm and left flank haematomas, anaemia, a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and reduced factor IX activity 6 weeks after prosthetic mechanical aortic valve implantation. INVESTIGATION: Treatment with both vitamin K and a single injection of factor IX concentrate led to normalization of the activated partial thromboplastin time and factor IX activity, which remained constant for several days. No acquired factor IX inhibitor was detectable. Analysis of exon 2 of the factor IX gene revealed a C-->T mutation in codon 10 of the propeptide region, resulting in the substitution of alanine by valine. Echocardiography revealed a significant paravalvular leak. TREATMENT AND COURSE: The substitution of valine for alanine in the factor IX propeptide leads to an impaired affinity of factor IX to the vitamin K-carboxylase complex. In this situation, treatment with coumarin derivatives can profoundly reduce factor IX activity and result in severe bleeding episodes. This patient was re-exposed to warfarin under close hematological monitoring. After 4 days factor IX activity had decreased to 15%, which was associated with an increase of the aPTT and a mild decrease of the prothrombin time. Due to rapid progression of the paravalvular leak and almost impossible long-term orale anticoagulation with coumarin derivatives, we recommended replacement of the prosthetic mechanical valve with a biological device. CONCLUSION: The development of severe bleeding in the context of initiating warfarin therapy raises the suspicion of a factor IX propeptide mutation. The initial screening test is the activated partial thromboplastin time, which is elevated in the presence of the mutation. If concomitantly diminished factor IX activity is found the factor IX propeptide mutation should be excluded. Use of lifelong coumarin derivatives is contraindicated in patients with this mutation. However, a general screening of the activated partial thromboplastin time after coumarin initiation is not justified by cost/benefit analysis.

Aged↗

Somatic mosaicism in hemophilia A: a fairly common event.

Mutations in the large gene of clotting factor VIII (FVIII) are the most common events leading to severe human bleeding disorder. The high proportion of de novo mutations observed in this gene raises the possibility that a significant proportion of such mutations does not derive from a single germ cell but instead should be attributed to a germline or somatic mosaic originating from a mutation during early embryogenesis. The present study explores this hypothesis by using allele-specific PCR to analyze 61 families that included members who had sporadic severe hemophilia A and known FVIII gene defects. The presence of somatic mosaicisms of varying degrees (0.2%-25%) could be shown in 8 (13%) of the 61 families and has been confirmed by a mutation-enrichment procedure. All mosaics were found in families with point mutations (8 [25%] of 32 families). In the subgroup of 8 families with CpG transitions, the percentage with mosaicism increased to 50% (4 of 8 families). In contrast, no mosaics were observed in 13 families with small deletions/insertions or in 16 families with intron 22 inversions. Our data suggest that mosaicism may represent a fairly common event in hemophilia A. As a consequence, risk assessment in genetic counseling should include consideration of the possibility of somatic mosaicism in families with apparently de novo mutations, especially families with the subtype of point mutations.

Alleles↗

Expression and characterization of von Willebrand factor dimerization defects in different types of von Willebrand disease.

Dimerization defects of von Willebrand factor (vWF) protomers underlie von Willebrand disease (vWD) type 2A, subtype IID (vWD 2A/IID), and corresponding mutations have been identified at the 3' end of the vWF gene in exon 52. This study identified and expressed 2 additional mutations in this region, a homozygous defect in a patient with vWD type 3 (C2754W) and a heterozygous frameshift mutation (8566delC) in a patient with vWD type 2A, subtype IIE. Both mutations involve cysteine residues that we propose are possibly essential for dimerization. To prove this hypothesis, transient recombinant expression of each of the 2 mutations introduced in the carboxy-terminal vWF fragment II and in the complete vWF complementary DNA, respectively, were carried out in COS-7 cells and compared with expression of vWD 2A/IID mutation C2773R and the wild-type (WT) sequence in COS-7 cells. Recombinant WT vWF fragment II assembled correctly into a dimer, whereas recombinant mutant fragments were monomeric. Homozygous expression of recombinant mutant full-length vWF resulted in additional dimers, probably through disulfide bonding at the amino-terminal multimerization site, whereas recombinant WT vWF correctly assembled into multimers. Coexpression of recombinant mutant and recombinant WT vWF reproduced the multimer patterns observed in heterozygous individuals. Our results suggest that a common defect of vWF biosynthesis--lack of vWF dimerization--may cause diverse types and subtypes of vWD. We also confirmed previous studies that found that disulfide bonding at the vWF amino-terminal is independent of dimerization at the vWF carboxy-terminal. (Blood. 2001;97:2059-2066)

Adult↗

Evaluation of DHPLC in the analysis of hemophilia A.

The manifestation of hemophilia A, a common hereditary bleeding disorder in humans, is caused by abnormalities in the factor VIII (FVIII) gene. A wide range of different mutations has been identified and provides the genetic basis for the extensive variability observed in the clinical phenotype. The knowledge of a specific mutation is of great interest as this may facilitate genetic counseling and prediction of the risk of anti-FVIII antibody development, the most serious complication in hemophilia A treatment to date. Due to its considerable size (7.2 kb of the coding sequence, represented by 26 exons), mutation detection in this gene represents a challenge that is only partially met by conventional screening methods such as denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) or single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP). These techniques are time consuming, require specific expertise and are limited to detection rates of 70-85%. In contrast, the recently introduced denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC) offers a promising new method for a fast and sensitive analysis of PCR-amplified DNA fragments. To test the applicability of dHPLC in the molecular diagnosis of hemophilia A, we first assessed a cohort of 156 patients with previously identified mutations in the FVIII gene. Applying empirically determined exon-specific melting profiles, a total of 150 mutations (96.2%) were readily detected. Five mutations (3.2%) could be identified after temperatures were optimized for the specific nucleotide change. One mutation (0.6%) failed to produce a detectable heteroduplex signal. In a second series, we analyzed 27 hemophiliacs in whom the mutation was not identified after extensive DGGE and chemical mismatch cleavage (CMC) analysis. In 19 of these patients (70.4%), dHPLC facilitated the detection of the disease-associated nucleotide alterations. From these findings we conclude that the dHPLC technology is a highly sensitive method well suited to the molecular analysis of hemophilia A.

Base Sequence↗

Lithuanian haemophilia A and B registry comprising phenotypic and genotypic data.

Haemophilia represents the most common hereditary severe bleeding disorder in humans. About 100 families with this condition live in Lithuania, one of the Baltic states with a population of 3.7 million. Haemophilia care and genetic counselling are still rendered difficult owing to limited availability of clotting factor concentrate and molecular genetic diagnosis. In the present study, a haemophilia registry, comprising phenotypic and genotypic data of the majority of Lithuanian haemophilia A and B patients, was established. The phenotype includes the degree of severity, factor VIII:C, factor VIII:Ag, factor IX:C, von Willebrand factor and antigen (VWF:RiCoF, vWF:Ag) and inhibitor status. Genotyping of the factor VIII and IX genes was performed using mutation screening methods and direct sequencing. In 61 out of 63 patients with haemophilia A (96.8%) and all eight patients with haemophilia B (100%), the causative mutations could be detected. Nineteen of the factor VIII gene defects and two of the factor IX gene mutations are reported for the first time. Identified mutations allowed direct carrier diagnosis in 83 female relatives revealing 44 carriers, 38 non-carriers and one somatic mosaicism. The information provided by this registry will be helpful for monitoring the treatment of Lithuanian haemophilia patients and also for reliable genetic counselling of the affected families in the future.

Factor IX↗

Molecular biology of blood coagulation.

A complex network of hemostasis proteins maintains the blood flow and integrity of the vascular system. Molecular biology techniques have led to identification and cloning of the corresponding genes, thereby providing the basis for development of various recombinant clotting factor concentrates. Further analysis of these genes allowed for phenotype and genotype correlations in patients with hemorrhagic or thromboembolic disorders and analysis of structure and function relationships of the involved proteins. All these efforts result in a greatly advanced understanding of the hemostatic network. The aim of this article is to illustrate this progress by reporting on the recent results in representative hereditary hemorrhagic and such thromboembolic conditions as hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and thrombotic disorders.

Animals↗

Gene therapy of hemophilia.

Hemophilia A and B are X-linked bleeding disorders caused by mutations within the factor VIII and factor IX genes, respectively. Although both disorders can be easily treated by substitution with concentrates of functional factor VIII and factor IX, considerable effort has been undertaken to develop a gene therapy for hemophilia in order to improve patients' life quality and reduce high costs of therapy. The principle of gene therapy is the introduction of an intact copy of the factor VIII/factor IX gene in somatic cells, compensating for the defective gene. To do this, retroviral, adenoviral, and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector systems, among others, were used. Encouraged by the results of preliminary experiments using preponderant mouse and canine models, three clinical phase I studies on hemophilia A and B patients have been initiated, one of which has been preliminarily reported successful.

Animals↗

Genetic predisposition to bleeding during oral anticoagulant therapy: evidence for common founder mutations (FIXVal-10 and FIXThr-10) and an independent CpG hotspot mutation (FIXThr-10).

The recent discovery of five patients with coumarin sensitive FIX-variants due to a missense mutation in the FIX propeptide, either Ala-10Val or Ala-10Thr, has highlighted a novel type of genetic predisposition to bleeding during oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT). In the present study, we report six additional patients with such FIX variants. Haplotype analysis of FIX polymorphisms revealed a founder effect in the five German and Swiss patients with the Val-10 variant. Also, four Thr-10 variants detected in Germany, Switzerland and Great Britain derived from a common founder. Two Thr-10 variants from USA showed an independent de novo origin at a CpG dinucleotide that in general represents a mutation hotspot. These findings implicate the existence of additional subjects with corresponding variants in the populations of various countries. Even though the rare occurrence of these variants does not justify a general aPTT screening during OAT, it is recommended to monitor each bleeding event during OAT in males in order to exclude a genetic predisposition to bleeding by means of the following testing strategy: a) aPTT-testing in each bleeding complication of male patients during OAT, b) if aPTT is disproportionately prolonged, determination of FIX:C, and c) if FIX:C is disproportionately decreased as compared to FII:C, FVII:C and FX:C, sequencing of exon 2 of the FIX gene. This strategy will provide a cost-effective and safe procedure to identify patients that carry the FIX variants. Moreover, such a strategy accumulates data about the prevalence of these FIX mutations in a given population.

Administration, Oral↗

De novo factor VIII gene intron 22 inversion in a female carrier presents as a somatic mosaicism.

The intron 22 inversion represents the most prevalent factor VIII gene defect in severe hemophilia A, accounting for about 40% of all mutations. It is hypothesized that the inversion mutations occur almost exclusively in germ cells during meiotic cell division by intrachromosomal recombination between 1 of 2 telomeric copies of the Int22h region and its intragenic homologue. The majority of inversion mutations originate in male germ cells, where the lack of bivalent formation may facilitate flipping of the telomeric end of the single X chromosome. This is the first intron 22 inversion that presents as a somatic mosaicism in a female, affecting only about 50% of lymphocyte and fibroblast cells of the proposita. Supposing a post-zygotic de novo mutation as the usual cause of somatic mosaicism, the finding would imply that the intron 22 inversion mutation is not restricted to meiotic cell divisions but can also occur during mitotic cell divisions, either in germ cell precursors or in somatic cells. (Blood. 2000;96:2905-2906)

Adult↗

Assay discrepancy in mild haemophilia A due to a factor VIII missense mutation (Asn694Ile) in a large Danish family.

Factor VIII gene analysis in a large consanguinous Danish family comprising 24 affected males and four homozygously affected females revealed an Asn694Ile mutation within the A2 domain. The factor VIII gene mutation led to a mild haemophilia A phenotype with factor VIII function displaying discordance between one-stage clotting and chromogenic two-stage assays. In one-stage assays, values ranged from 0.05 to 0.30 IU/ml (males) and from 0.19 to 0.29 IU/ml (homozygous affected females), whereas the chromogenic two-stage assay produced values of around only 50% of the one-stage result [0. 02-0.12 IU/ml (males); 0.06-0.10 IU/ml (females)]. The differences are suggested to be caused by the effect of the mutation on the active cleaved form of the factor (F)VIII protein. As the original amino acid (Asn) is conserved in all known FVIII A2 sequences, but not in ceruloplasmin, we suggest that Asn694 is involved in an A2-specific functional role. Examination of a homology model of the A domains predicts that the Asn694Ile mutation (i) results in the loss of two potential hydrogen-bonding interactions and (ii) hampers the integration of the bulky side-chain of Ile into the A2 domain core, probably causing an altered stability and/or folding of the protein. Interestingly, the disease in this Danish family was originally proposed to be von Willebrand-Jürgens disease. However, the current study rules out the co-existence of either von Willebrand's disease or the presence of the Normandy variant of von Willebrand factor (type 2N).

Blood Coagulation↗

NovoSeven in immune tolerance therapy.

The development of inhibitors in haemophilia patients is one of the most serious challenges to effective treatment. The effect of factor (F) concentrate and treatment regimen on titre levels was studied in nine patients with haemophilia A or B and inhibitors. Patients with haemophilia A were subdivided into those treated with recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) on demand or those treated prophylactically with activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) and rFVIIa. A third group comprised haemophilia B patients receiving rFVIIa prophylaxis and on-demand aPCC or rFVIIa. On-demand therapy with rFVIIa proved to be effective and safe treatment for acute bleeding episodes in haemophilic patients. In group 1, inhibitor titres decreased markedly 0.5-21 months prior to immune tolerance therapy (ITT) and remained low for a further 1-19 months. However, use of rFVIIa instead of aPCC as prophylactic treatment in group 2 patients undergoing ITT failed to show favourable results for rFVIIa. This may be due to the short half-life of rFVIIa (2.3-2.9 h). The data presented suggest that exclusive use of rFVIIa in acute bleeding episodes prior to commencing ITT is an effective method of decreasing inhibitor titre, thereby optimizing conditions for ITT.

Adolescent↗

Molecular genetics in haemophilia A.

Efficient mutation screening methods have greatly facilitated the analysis of the factor VIII gene. The fast growing number of identified mutations has led to an increasing understanding of the genetics in haemophilia A. In combination with the recently generated molecular models of the factor VIII protein systematic studies of structural-functional relationships of the factor VIII protein have started. The knowledge of the causative gene defect has also become an important instrument in haemophilia care with respect to prediction of the patients' clinical course and safe genetic counselling of relatives.

Factor VIII↗