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U Budde

Publications and source records attributed to U Budde.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Classification of von Willebrand disease].

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is known for its marked heterogeneity which was already recognized by von Willebrand in 1926. The basis of phenotypic differentiation are quantitative and qualitative or functional differences between the different types and subtypes of VWD. One of the most important tools in the classification of VWD is multimer analysis that visualizes many of the structural abnormalities of mutant VWF. The introduction of multimer analysis was followed by the identification of an increasing number of different VWD phenotypes that were first reviewed in 1987 by Ruggeri and Zimmerman, thus forming a first classification of the disease. However, the detection of additional phenotypes required a revision of the nomenclature at a time point when only a few types of VWD had already been analyzed on the molecular level. Consequently, the molecular data only played a minor role in the revised classification published by Sadler in 1994. The advent of molecular techniques provided the opportunity for genotype/phenotype studies which recently helped not only to elucidate or confirm important functions of VWF and its steps of post-translational processing but also many disease causing defects. The reproducible correlation between certain phenotypes and particular mutations can now be used for a molecular approach towards a soundly based classification of VWD, equally useful for the clinician and for research requirements.

Humans↗

Measurement of von Willebrand factor cleaving protease (ADAMTS-13): results of an international collaborative study involving 11 methods testing the same set of coded plasmas.

BACKGROUND: ADAMTS-13 is a von Willebrand factor (VFW)-cleaving protease. Its congenital or acquired deficiency is associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and more rarely with the hemolytic uremic syndrome. We report on a survey evaluating 11 methods for ADAMTS-13 measurement performed in different labs. DESIGN: Two plasmas, one normal and one from a patient with familial TTP, were mixed at the co-ordinating center to prepare 6 plasmas with 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 80% and 100% ADAMTS-13 levels. Each plasma was aliquoted and assembled into sets of 60 (coded from 1 to 60), each containing 10 copies of the original 6 plasmas. Plasmas were frozen and shipped in dry ice to 10 labs with a common frozen reference plasma. Laboratories were asked to measure ADAMTS-13 with their methods. Results were sent to the coordinating center for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 10 methods performed under static conditions 9 were quantitative and one was semiquantitative. One method performed under flow conditions evaluated the extent of cleavage of endothelial cell-derived ultralarge VWF string-like structures and expressed results as deficient, normal, or borderline. Linearity (expected-vs-observed levels), assessed as the squared correlation coefficient, ranged from 0.98 to 0.39. Reproducibility, expressed as the coefficient of variation for repeated measurements, ranged from < 10% to 83%. The majority of methods were able to discriminate between different ADAMTS-13 levels. The majority were able to detect the plasma with 0% level and some of them to discriminate between 0% and 10%. Overall the best performance was observed for three methods measuring cleaved VWF by ristocetin cofactor, collagen binding, and immunoblotting of degraded multimers of VWF substrate, respectively. The poor interlaboratory agreement of results was hardly affected by the use of the common standard. The method performed under flow conditions identified the plasmas with 0%, 10%, 20% and 40% activity as deficient in 7, 5, 1 and 3 of the 10 replicate measurements. The plasmas with 80% and 100% were identified as normal in all of the 10 replicate measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The survey shows varied performance, but supports an optimistic view about the reliability of current methods for ADAMTS-13.

ADAM Proteins↗

[Diagnostic standards of von Willebrand disease].

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is caused by quantitative and/or qualitative defects of the von Willebrand factor (VWF), a multimeric high molecular glycoprotein. Typically, it affects the primary haemostatic system, which is reflected by a mucocutaneous bleeding tendency simulating a functional platelet defect. The VWF promotes its function in two ways: It promotes platelet adhesion to the injured vessel wall under conditions of high shear forces and it functions as carrier for factor VIII in plasma. Due to its complexity diagnosis of VWD is one of the most challenging of coagulation disorders. The stepwise diagnosis of VWD includes patient's and family history, orientating procedures (bleeding time, filter tests, platelet count, aPTT), confirmatory tests (VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo, VIII:C) and tests for final classification (VWF:CB, RIPA, multimeric analysis, bWF:FVIIIB, platelet VWF). Accumulating knowledge of the different clinical phenotypes and their pathophysiological basis was translated into a classification scheme that differentiated between quantitative and qualitative defects by means of quantitative and functional parameters and by analyzing the electrophoretic pattern of VWF multimers. The advent of molecular techniques provided the opportunity for genotype/phenotype studies which recently helped not only to elucidate or confirm important functions of VWF and the steps of its posttranslational processing but also many disease causing defects.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome 2004: International Registry--diagnosis and management from online to bedside.

The acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) is a rare bleeding disorder with laboratory findings similar to those for congenital von Willebrand disease. Unlike the congenital form, AVWS usually occurs in individuals with no personal or family history of bleeding. Large studies on AVWS are not available, diagnosis remains difficult and treatment empirical. Acquired von Willebrand syndrome is especially frequent in lympho- or myeloproliferative disorders. It is associated with solid tumours, immunological and cardiovascular disorders as well as other miscellaneous conditions. Diagnosis of AVWS is based on assays measuring ristocetin cofactor activity or collagen binding, which are usually abnormally low, while factor VIII coagulant activity is some-times within the reference range. FVIII/VWF inhibiting activities are found in only a minority of cases. Bleeding episodes in patients with AVWS are mostly of the mucocutaneous type and can be managed with desmopressin, plasma-derived factor VIII/von Willebrand factor (FVIII/VWF) concentrates and intravenous immunoglobulin. Recombinant activated factor VII can be useful in cases unresponsive to standard therapy. In conclusion, the AVWS, although rare, is certainly underestimated in clinical practice: The actual clinical impact of AVWS should be evaluated by prospective studies. The authors are co-ordinating an updated version of the International Registry on AVWS that will allow data to be entered directly online.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

[Diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura].

As hallmark of TTP, generalized hyaline thrombi in the patient's microcirculation is known. These thrombi are composed of platelets and VWF. A severe defect of the VWF cleaving protease (VWF-CP) was found in all known patients with the inherited form of TTP. In contrary, although a severe deficiency of VWF-CP is specific for the acquired form, too, only a fraction of these patients is characterized by a severe deficiency. In most patients with a severe deficiency autoantibodies directed against VWF-CP is detectable in plasma. However, many patients with acquired TTP do not show any severe deficiency. Because treatment differs in inherited and acquired forms and as persistance of autoantibodies during clinical remission is of prognostic value, the determination of the activity of VWF-CP and of antibodies against VWF-CP are important parts in the workup of patients with TTP. In all methods for the determination of the activity of VWF-CP the first step is proteolysis of a specific substrate for the protease. In the second step the activity of the protease is measured by analysis of the residual VWF multimers, by the generation of specific fragments, by using the residual VWF:CB or VWF:RCo as marker of the loss of multimers or with help of specific monoclonal antibodies. In less than 30 min the cone and plate(let) aggregometer helps to distinguish between different forms of thrombotic microangiopathies. While adhesion and aggregation of platelets from a healthy person are clearly enhanced after addition of a small amount of plasma from a TTP patient, both characteristics are weakened by plasma from patients with other forms of thrombotic microangiopathy (dilution effect). Molecular genetics are established methods in the differentiation between inherited and acquired forms of TTP in those cases without autoantibodies against VWF-CP.

ADAM Proteins↗

[Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood].

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a micro-angiopathic disease due to deficiency of the specific VWF cleaving protease (VWF-CP) ADAMTS13. The acquired form is caused by autoantibodies against VWF-CP, whereas mutations of the ADAMTS13 gene are responsible for inherited TTP. In childhood both forms exist with predominance of inherited TTP. The phenotype of TTP in childhood can be rather variable. Besides the classical clinical picture, abortive forms may occur that can delay the identification of patients at risk. The patients are frequently assumed to suffer from idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP) or Evans syndrome. Further efforts are necessary to accelerate correct diagnosis and to establish a risk-adapted prophylactic therapy.

ADAM Proteins↗

Measurement of von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (ADAMTS-13) activity in plasma: a multicenter comparison of different assay methods.

A severely deficient ADAMTS-13 activity (<5%) is a key laboratory finding confirming the diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), whereas a mildly or moderately decreased activity is found in various other conditions. Laboratory tests for ADAMTS-13 activity must reliably identify a severe deficiency and detect inhibitory antibodies against ADAMTS-13. We carried out a multicenter comparison of different assays for ADAMTS-13 activity in plasma, including the quantitative immunoblotting of degraded von Willebrand factor (VWF) substrate, the residual collagen binding activity and ristocetin cofactor activity of degraded VWF, and an immunoradiometric assay. The main goal was to investigate whether all assays concordantly identified severe ADAMTS-13 deficiency and detected inhibitory antibodies. ADAMTS-13 activity was determined by five laboratories in 30 plasma samples of patients with hereditary and acquired TTP and other conditions. ADAMTS-13 activity values of the samples ranged from <3% to > 100%. Concerning the identification of a severe ADAMTS-13 deficiency, good interassay and interlaboratory agreement was observed with only one false-negative and two false-positive results by two laboratories using a collagen binding assay. For samples with normal or mildly to moderately reduced ADAMTS-13 activity, results were less concordant. There was good agreement for the detection of strong inhibitors. We conclude that all assays investigated are useful as a screening test in suspected TTP. Further assay improvement is needed, however.

ADAM Proteins↗

Remission of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient with compound heterozygous deficiency of von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease by infusion of solvent/detergent plasma.

UNLABELLED: Plasma exchange or plasma infusion is considered to be the therapy of choice in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) who are deficient in von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (VWF-CP). Recently, mutations in the ADAMTS 13 gene were identified as being responsible for VWF-CP deficiency in patients with familial TTP (VWF-CP deficiency in the absence of an inhibitor). Here we report on a girl who presented with recurrent thrombocytopenia and anaemia since birth, developing the full pentad of characteristic TTP at the age of 16 y. Congenital TTP was confirmed on the basis of severe VWF-CP deficiency in the absence of an acquired inhibitor. The patient was found to be compound heterozygous for two hitherto undescribed mutations in the ADAMTS 13 gene: a truncating frame shift mutation, 4143insA in exon 29, and the nonsense mutation 3100A >T in exon 24 (R1034X). After infusion of solvent/detergent plasma, the patient went into remission and remained asymptomatic under regular plasma therapy at 2-wk intervals for over two years. CONCLUSION: TTP in childhood may be mild and oligosymptomatic. Determination of VWF-CP activity is helpful in the differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia.

ADAM Proteins↗

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↗

Detection of all anti-factor VIII antibodies in haemophilia A patients by the Bethesda assay and a more sensitive immunoprecipitation assay.

Plasmas from 40 haemophilia A patients enrolled in a study by the paediatric group of the German Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis were tested by the Bethesda assay for inhibitor antibodies and by a more sensitive immunoprecipitation assay (IP) for all antifactor VIII antibodies. Of the 26 severe, 11 moderate and three mild haemophiliacs, 18, two, and none, respectively, had positive Bethesda titres after several factor VIII infusions. In 275 plasmas with Bethesda titres of 0, 0.6--1.0, > 1--5, and > 5--655, the IP responses were 0-238, 0--61, 0--786, and 43--6141, respectively, and a reliable positive IP titre was > 4.2. The overlapping ranges of IP titres indicated large differences in the ratio of inhibitory to noninhibitory antibodies in individual plasmas. In five of seven patients with Bethesda titres of 0.6--1, the IP titres were < 4.2, suggesting a lack of precision of Bethesda titres < or = 1. Detection of the primary immune response was found in only three patients by IP assay before a positive Bethesda assay. This precludes early, reliable testing of which patients will be immunologically responsive. In four patients undergoing immune tolerance therapy, antifactor VIII antibodies were still detectable by the IP assay in the absence of a Bethesda titre, which indicates that antibodies were completely eradicated in none of the patients. Our results show that the use of both the Bethesda and IP assays can provide more accurate detection of antifactor VIII antibodies in all patients.

Antibodies↗

Von Willebrand factor and von Willebrand disease.

von Willebrand disease (vWD) is caused by quantitative and/or qualitative defects of the von Willebrand factor (vWF), a multimeric high molecular weight glycoprotein. Typically, it affects the primary hemostatic system, which results in a mucocutaneous bleeding tendency simulating a platelet function defect. The vWF promotes its function in two ways: (i) by initiating platelet adhesion to the injured vessel wall under conditions of high shear forces, and (ii) by its carrier function for factor VIII in plasma. Accumulating knowledge of the different clinical phenotypes and the pathophysiological basis of the disease translated into a classification that differentiated between quantitative and qualitative defects by means of quantitative and functional parameters, and by analyzing the electrophoretic pattern of vWF multimers. The advent of molecular techniques provided the opportunity for conducting genotype-phenotype studies which have recently helped, not only to elucidate or confirm important functions of vWF and its steps in post-translational processing, but also many disease causing defects. Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (avWS) has gained more attention during the recent years. An international registry was published and recommendation by the Scientific and Standardization Committee of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis in 2000. It concluded that avWS, although not a frequent disease, is nevertheless probably underdiagnosed. This should be addressed in future prospective studies. The aim of treatment is the correction of the impaired hemostatic system of the patient, ideally including the defects of both primary and secondary hemostasis. Desmopressin is the treatment of choice in about 70% of patients, mostly with type 1, while the others merit treatment with concentrates containing vWF.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗

A molecular approach to the classification of von Willebrand disease.

The marked heterogeneity of von Willebrand disease was already recognized by von Willebrand in 1926. The accumulating knowledge of the different clinical phenotypes and the pathophysiological basis of the disease was translated into a classification that differentiated between quantitative and qualitative defects by means of quantitative and functional parameters and by analysing the electrophoretic pattern of von Willebrand factor multimers. The increasing number of different von Willebrand disease phenotypes required a revision of the nomenclature at a time when only a few types of von Willebrand disease had already been analysed at the molecular level. Consequently, the molecular data played only a minor role in the revised classification. Given the pronounced, even intra-individual, variation in the manifestation of von Willebrand disease and the diagnostic difficulties caused by a non-standardized methodology, it is clear that biochemical methods alone are insufficient for a clear classification. The advent of molecular techniques provided the opportunity for genotype-phenotype studies that recently helped to elucidate or confirm not only the important functions of von Willebrand factor and the steps of its post-translational processing, but also many disease-causing defects. The reproducible correlation between certain phenotypes and particular mutations can now be used for a molecular approach towards a final classification of von Willebrand disease, equally useful for the clinician and for research requirements.

Genetic Variation↗

Acquired von Willebrand syndromes: clinical features, aetiology, pathophysiology, classification and management.

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) associated with hypothyroidism is of type I, results from a decreased synthesis of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (VWF), responds to desmopressin with normal half-life times for factor VIII and VWF parameters, and disappears after treatment with I-thyroxine. AVWS type I or III, which occurs in a minority of patients with Wilms' tumour in the complete absence of an inhibitor against VWF and no absorption of factor VIII or VWF onto nephroblastoma cells, responds to chemotherapy and/or tumour resection. Hyaluronic acid produced by nephroblastoma cells may be the causative factor in atypical AVWS in Wilms' tumour. AVWS associated with thrombocythaemia of various myeloproliferative disorders is characterized by normal factor VIII and von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF: Ag) levels and a selective deficiency of functional ristocetin co-factor activity (VWF: RCo) and collagen-binding activity (VWF: CBA). AVWS type II in thrombocythaemia is caused by a platelet-dependent proteolysis of large VWF multimers, given the inverse relationship between platelet count and large VWF multimers in plasma and specific increases in the number of proteolytic VWF fragments in plasma. The laboratory findings of AVWS associated with systemic lupus erythematosus or IgG benign monoclonal gammopathy are characterized by a prolonged bleeding time and activated partial thromboplastin time, decreased or absent ristocetin-induced platelet activity, low to very low levels of factor VIII coagulant activity (mean 15%), VWF: Ag (mean 10.7%) and VWF: RCo (mean 6.2%), and a type II multimeric pattern of VWF. Neutralizing and non-neutralizing anti-VWF autoantibodies, usually IgG, have been detected in patient plasma either free or tightly bound to the intermediate and high molecular weight VWF factor VIII particles. The bound auto antibody-antigen complex is rapidly cleared from the circulation, resulting in low levels of factor VIII, VWF parameters as documented by a poor response to desmopressin and VWF factor VIII concentrate. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin transiently corrects the factor VIII coagulant and VWF levels, lasting for a few weeks in AVWS type II associated with systemic lupus erythematosus or IgG benign monoclonal gammopathy. Prednisolone is effective in AVWS associated with autoimmune disorder. Prednisolone and chemotherapy will not affect AVWS associated with IgG benign monoclonal gammopathy because the monoclonal IgG protein remains to act as an anti-VWF autoantibody. An absorption of VWF to malignant cells has been documented in a few patients with various lymphoproliferative disorders or adrenal carcinoma and suggested to result in a depletion of VWF. The clinical picture of AVWS associated with early-stage IgG multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma without a paraprotein or no detectable underlying disorder is similar to that of AVWS type II in IgG benign monoclonal gammopathy but poorly documented with regard to the underlying immune mechanism of AVWS. The mechanical destruction of large VWF multimers may be of relevance in conditions in which the shear rate of flowing blood is increased, as may occur in cases of aortic stenosis, other heart valve defects or stenosed vessels. Drug-induced AVWS has been described in association with the use of pesticides valproic acid, ciprofloxacin, griseofulvin, tetracycline, thrombolytic agents and hydroxyethyl starch.

Hematologic Tests↗

Quantification and facilitated comparison of von Willebrand factor multimer patterns by densitometry.

The analysis of von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers is an important laboratory tool for distinguishing among the numerous subtypes of von Willebrand disease (vWD). Comparability and reproducibility of this method are insufficient; standardization and external references are pending. Interlaboratory comparison of results therefore may be difficult. We applied densitometry to obtain a reproducible quantification of vWF multimer patterns in healthy donors, patients with vWD variants, and factor VIII/vWF concentrates to improve the reproducibility and comparability of vWF multimer analysis. Multimers were separated and visualized luminographically on x-ray films. Films were scanned and evaluated by densitometry. The variation inherent in vWF multimer analysis and the range of the normal could be quantified. In vWD variants and factor VIII/vWF concentrates, densitometry could quantify and visualize alterations of vWF multimer patterns and facilitate their comparison. Densitometry permits a precise quantitative comparison of sample patterns to a reference plasma. It could be a valuable tool offering reproducible quantification and additional visualization of normal and pathologic vWF multimer patterns, facilitating their comparison and contributing to a standardization of vWF multimer analysis.

Adult↗

Dietary intake of lead, cadmium, copper and zinc by children from the German North Sea island Amrum.

The dietary intake of metals was studied in seven male and seven female children at the age of 1.5 to 5.3 years living in a remote area of Germany, the North Sea island Amrum. The dietary intake of lead and cadmium was measured by a seven-day-duplicate study using atomic absorption spectrometry. The dietary intake of copper and zinc were calculated from food diaries. The median lead and cadmium intakes were 2.1 micrograms/(kgbw x week) [range: 0.63-5.1 micrograms/(kgbw x week)] and 2.7 micrograms/(kgbw x week) [range: 1.7-4.4 micrograms/(kgbw x week)]. The median daily intake of copper and zinc were 1.1 mg/d (range: 0.54-2.5 mg/d) and 5.7 mg/d (range: 2.7-14 mg/d). Compared to the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 25 micrograms/(kgbw x week) proposed by the WHO the dietary intake of lead was low. The median amounted to 8.5% and the maximum to 20% of the PTWI. The cadmium intake was comparatively high. The median amounted to 39% and the maximum to 63% of the PTWI [7 micrograms/(kgbw x week)]. The median intake of copper was in the range of the values recommended by the German Society of Nutrition (0.7-1.0 mg/d and 1.0-1.5 mg/d for children at the age of 1-< 4 years and 4-< 7 years). Twenty-three percent of the calculated intakes were below these values. The median intake of zinc however did not reach the recommended dietary intake of 7 and 10 mg/d for children at the age of 1-< 4 years and 4-< 7 years.

Cadmium↗