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Enzymatically active ADAMTS13 variants are not inhibited by anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies: a novel therapeutic strategy?

ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs), a circulating multidomain zinc metalloprotease of the reprolysin subfamily, is critical for preventing von Willebrand factor-platelet interaction under high shear stress conditions. A deficiency of the protease, due to mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene or the presence of antibodies that inhibit the activity of the protease, causes thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Plasma therapy, the conventional therapy for TTP, may cause serious adverse reactions and is ineffective in some patients. In order to develop new strategies for improving the diagnosis and treatment of TTP, we produced a series of truncated ADAMTS13 proteins in mammalian cells and analyzed their binding with and suppression by the IgG derived from the TTP patients. The results revealed that truncation of the ADAMTS13 protein at its cysteine-rich region eliminated its recognition by the antibodies without abolishing its von Willebrand factor-cleaving activity. This raises the possibility that resistant ADAMTS13 variants may be exploited to circumvent inhibitory antibodies that cause TTP.

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ADAMTS13-binding IgG are present in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Functional assays are commonly used to measure the antibodies of ADAMTS13 found in patients of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). In this study we used an enzyme-linked immunoassay to analyze the ADAMTS13-binding IgG levels in six groups of individuals: normal, random hospitalized patients, acute TTP, TTP after receiving plasma therapy, TTP in remission, and other types of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). The results showed that ADAMTS13-binding IgG levels were elevated in 100% of the acute TTP group, 75% of the TTP group after receiving plasma therapy, and 40% of the remission group. Overall, the ADAMTS13-binding IgG levels correlated with the inhibitory activity levels againstADAMTS13 (r = -0.69, P < 0.0001). The assay also detected elevated IgG binding levels in 5% - 15% of the normal, random, and other TMA control groups. Addition of purified ADAMTS13 protein to the plasma samples suppressed the IgG binding in each of the acute TTP patients, but in none of the non-TTP groups. Serial measurement in a patient that had two exacerbations of TTP within the first three weeks revealed that the ADAMTS13 activity levels remained <0.1 U/ml during this period, and the ADAMTS13-binding IgG remained elevated, suggesting that ADAMTS13 analysis may provide valuable insight to the disease status during the course of therapy. Analysis of ADAMTS13-binding IgG is helpful for the diagnosis and management of TTP.

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Mechanisms of the interaction between two ADAMTS13 gene mutations leading to severe deficiency of enzymatic activity.

The inherited deficiency of the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease ADAMTS13 is associated with rare forms of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). We investigated a woman with a family history of chronic recurrent TTP and undetectable plasma levels of ADAMTS13 activity. Genetic analysis revealed two missense mutations in the heterozygous state: p.Val88Met substitution in the metalloprotease domain and p.Gly1239Val substitution in the first CUB domain of ADAMTS13. To explore the mechanism of ADAMTS13 deficiency in this patient, the wild type (WT; ADAMT13(WT)) and each mutant construct (ADAMTS13(Val88Met), ADAMTS13(Gly1239Val)) were transiently expressed in HEK 293 and COS-7 cells. To recapitulate the compound heterozygous state of the patient, both mutant ADAMTS13 proteins were also expressed together. The p.Val88Met mutation led to a defect of secretion of the protease associated with a reduction of enzymatic activity, the p.Gly1239Val mutation led to a secretion defect causing intracellular accumulation of the protease. The mechanistic effects of the mutations were further explored by means of differential immunofluorescence, that demonstrated an homogeneous distribution of ADAMTS13(WT) in the Cis-Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) compartments, a reduction of ADAMTS13(Val88Met) in both compartments, while ADAMTS13(Gly1239Val) failed to reach the Cis-Golgi compartment and remained in the ER.

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Mutation analysis and clinical implications of von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease deficiency.

BACKGROUND: The pentad of thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, mild renal dysfunction, neurologic signs, and fever, classically characterizes the syndrome of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). TTP usually occurs in adults as an acquired form but a congenital form in children has also been described. In the latter case, the initial presentation is often with neonatal jaundice and thrombocytopenia. The disorder may subsequently take a relapsing course. Deficiency of a recently identified novel metalloprotease, the von Willebrand factor (vWF)-cleaving protease, originating from mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene plays a major role in the development of TTP. METHODS: Blood for DNA analysis was collected from six unrelated TTP families, consisting of nine patients from four different countries, and was screened for mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene. This gene spans 29 exons encompassing approximately 37 kb. Conventional techniques of DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and direct cycle sequencing were used. RESULTS: Eight novel ADAMTS13 mutations are presented. Half of the total number of mutant ADAMTS13 alleles are amino acid substitutions. The disease-causing mutations are spread over the gene. The pathogenicity of the individual mutations is based upon their predicted effect on the ADAMTS13 protein and segregation in family members. Although most of the patients (seven out of nine) had symptoms during the neonatal period, they were in a remarkably good condition. Only one of the nine patients had a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with proteinuria and hematuria. Another patient had epileptic seizures. CONCLUSION: We confirm that deficiency of ADAMTS13 is a molecular mechanism responsible for familial TTP. An early diagnosis allows prophylactic treatment with fresh plasma infusions.

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Treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), characterized by thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, was almost universally fatal until the introduction of plasma exchange (PE) therapy in the 1970s. Based on clinical studies, daily PE has become the first-choice therapy since 1991. Recent findings may explain its effectiveness, which may include, in particular, the removal of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies and unusually large von Willebrand factor multimers and/or supply of ADAMTS13 in acquired idiopathic or congenital TTP. Based on currently available data, the favoured PE regimen is daily PE [involving replacement of 1-1.5 times the patient's plasma volume with fresh-frozen plasma (FFP)] until remission. Adverse events of treatment are mainly related to central venous catheters. The potential reduction of plasma related side-effects, such as transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) or febrile transfusion reactions by use of solvent-detergent treated (S/D) plasma instead of FFP is not established by controlled clinical studies. Uncontrolled clinical observations and the hypothesis of an autoimmune process in a significant part of the patients with acquired idiopathic TTP suggest a beneficial effect of adjunctive therapy with corticosteroids. Other immunosuppressive treatments are not tested in controlled trials and should be reserved for refractory or relapsing disease. There is no convincing evidence for the use of antiplatelet agents. Supportive treatment with transfusion of red blood cells or platelets has to be evaluated on a clinical basis, but the transfusion trigger for platelets should be very restrictive. Further controlled, prospective studies should consider the different pathophysiological features of thrombotic microangiopathies, address the prognostic significance of ADAMTS13 and explore alternative exchange fluids to FFP, the role of immunosuppressive therapies and of new plasma saving approaches as recombinant ADAMTS13 and protein A immunoadsorption.

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Clinical application of a rapid method using agarose gel electrophoresis and Western blotting to evaluate von Willebrand factor protease activity.

A method for evaluating the activity of the von Willebrand factor (vWF) protease is described, and a clinical application is illustrated. The procedure utilizes gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and luminographic detection methods to evaluate the distribution of vWF multimers before and after incubation of clinical samples under conditions that favor proteolysis by this enzyme. Physiologically, the high-molecular-weight multimers of vWF are cleaved by the vWF protease under conditions of high shear stress in parts of the arterial circulation; cleavage of vWF multimers is also observed after exposure of vWF to denaturing agents in vitro and thus can serve as a laboratory test for the activity of the protease. vWF protease activity is decreased or absent in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura due to an inhibiting autoantibody, and this leads to high levels of noncleaved vWF and to life-threatening thrombosis, thrombocytopenia and anemia. The assay evaluates the activity of the protease by assessing the cleavage of vWF multimers after patient plasmas are incubated in vitro under denaturing conditions. With the use of these electrophoresis and Western blotting techniques, patient plasmas can be rapidly assessed for the activity of the vWF protease which may aid in the treatment strategy for these patients.

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Management of a patient with HIV infection-induced anemia and thrombocytopenia who presented with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

A 32-year-old male presented with fever, mental status changes, renal dysfunction, cytopenias and hemolysis. His platelet count was 14,000/microL, hemoglobin 5.7 g/dL and LDH 2,636 U/L. He was diagnosed with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and also found to be HIV positive on admission. TTP was confirmed by a low von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease level, the gold standard test for TTP, which was 10-15%. No protease-specific antibody was detected. Treatment of this patient consisted of 23 plasmapheresis procedures and trials of vincristine and dextran-70. Despite therapy, the patient remained anemic and thrombocytopenic, though his mental status and renal abnormalities improved. Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) consisting of efavirenz, 3TC, and d4T was started. Only after plasma exchanges were discontinued and HAART was instituted did the cytopenias resolve. He continued to improve following discharge, and platelet count was 206,000/microL and hemoglobin, 12.5 g/dL one month after the initiation of HAART.

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Successful treatment of a young infant who developed high-titer inhibitors against VWF-cleaving protease (ADAMTS-13): important discrimination from Upshaw-Schulman syndrome.

We report herein the case of a 9-month-old female infant with acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), which was initially suspected to be either Upshaw-Schulman syndrome (USS or a congenital TTP) or hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) because of onset of clinical signs in infancy and accompanying diarrhea. She received combination therapy of plasma exchange, steroid pulse, and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin infusion that was initiated before the definitive diagnosis, which resulted in excellent clinical improvement. The retrograde analysis of plasma ADAMTS-13 activity and its inhibitor showed a lack of this enzyme activity and the presence of a high-titer IgG inhibitor (200-320 Bethesda units/mL) to this enzyme activity. From our experience, it was suggested that we should recognize the possibility of the patient with acquired TTP in infancy and the importance of plasma exchange therapy for management of its clinical symptoms.

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Clinical usefulness of a functional assay for the von Willebrand factor cleaving protease (ADAMTS 13) and its inhibitor in a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Decreased von Willebrand factor cleaving protease activity (VWFCP, ADAMTS 13) leads to persistence of unusually large multimers of von Willebrand factor that bind to platelets, causing platelet aggregates, microangiopathic hemolysis, and thrombocytopenia in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). The clinical value of measuring ADAMTS 13 and its inhibitor is not fully defined; the case reported here illustrates the usefulness of the assay to help confirm the clinical diagnosis in a patient with other potential causes for thrombotic microangiopathy; the assay also helped in making treatment decisions. A patient with systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) presented with fever and abdominal pain, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Thrombotic microangiopathy was diagnosed by the appearance of schistocytes, decreasing platelet count, and evidence of hemolysis. ADAMTS 13 was decreased and an inhibitor was demonstrated in the patient's initial blood sample within 24 hr of admission. Plasma exchange was initiated, and serial assays showed increased ADAMTS 13 activity and decreased inhibitor after each plasma exchange; there was a rebound in inhibitor and a decrease in ADAMTS 13 activity prior to the next exchange that lessened over time. Increasing levels of protease activity correlated with clinical and laboratory improvement. Measurement of ADAMTS 13 activity and its inhibitor aided in the diagnosis of this complicated case of a patient with other potential causes for microangiopathic hemolysis. Subsequent levels correlated with the clinical course, and disappearance of the inhibitor indicated that long-term plasma exchange or other immunosuppressive treatment was not needed.

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Rituximab for treatment of refractory/relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

Plasma exchange is the standard treatment for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). For patients refractory to plasma exchange, treatment options are limited and often unsuccessful. The platelet thrombi that form in acquired TTP are believed to result from the presence of procoagulant ultralarge multimers of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in the circulation due to autoantibody inhibition of VWF cleaving protease (ADAMTS-13), the enzyme that normally cleaves the ultralarge multimers. Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20, has been recognized as a useful therapy for antibody-mediated autoimmune disease. We therefore treated four patients with recurrent TTP with 2 or 4 weekly doses of rituximab in addition to corticosteroids, vincristine, plasma, or continuing plasma exchange. Three patients responded with prompt improvement in microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, which allowed plasma exchange to be discontinued or avoided and prednisone to be rapidly discontinued. Two of the 3 responders have remained in unmaintained complete remission for 13+ months. The third patient relapsed at 13 months; a second course of rituximab and prednisone resulted in an unmaintained remission for 6+ months. All four patients were tested for ADAMTS-13 activity and its inhibitor at a point in their course when samples were available. Low ADAMTS-13 activity was noted in 3 patients tested at relapse, and the inhibitor activity was detectable in 2 patients. ADAMTS-13 activity increased during remission in one of these 2 patients although the patient had a persistence of the inhibitor. One patient tested only during remission had a normal ADAMTS-13 level. We conclude that rituximab may have a role and deserves further study in the treatment of patients with relapsing TTP.

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Rituximab for TTP.

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Post-appendectomy thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case report and review of the literature.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a syndrome characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia with varying degrees of renal dysfunction, neurologic signs and symptoms, and fever. Evidence has supported that a large proportion of cases of acquired TTP are due to the accumulation of ultralarge von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers due to an acquired deficiency in the vWF cleaving protease, ADAMTS-13. TTP is rare in the post-surgical setting but is best described after cardiothoracic and vascular surgeries. We present a case of postoperative TTP first presenting with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia 9 days after emergent appendectomy for a ruptured appendix. ADAMTS-13 and factor H levels returned normal and an ADAMTS-13 inhibitor was not identified. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of postoperative TTP after an appendectomy and the first report with correlative ADAMTS-13 data. Plasma exchange with fresh frozen plasma followed by cryopoor plasma, along with steroids resulted in eventual remission of TTP in our patient. Early postoperative diagnosis and aggressive management with consideration of initiation of plasma exchange is imperative to decrease the morbidity and morality associated with TTP.

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Acquired von Willebrand syndrome: an update.

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (aVWS) is a rare bleeding disorder with laboratory findings similar to those for congenital von Willebrand disease (VWD). However, unlike congenital VWD, it arises in individuals with no personal or family history of bleeding. aVWS occurs in association with a variety of underlying disorders, most frequently in lymphoproliferative disorders, myeloproliferative disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Through an analysis of the more recent literature data, the pathophysiology and the clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic aspects of this syndrome are concisely reported in this review.

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Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with severe ADAMTS-13 deficiency in two patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

Arterial thrombotic events, thrombocytopenia, and hemolytic anemia with schistocytes may be encountered in the setting of both thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). We report 2 cases of TTP occurring in patients with definite primary APS. We also describe the results of tests for ADAMTS-13 activity in 20 consecutive patients with primary APS, as well as tests for antiphospholipid antibodies in 26 patients who had TTP, severe ADAMTS-13 deficiency, and ADAMTS-13-inhibiting antibodies. In both of the patients with primary APS and TTP, ADAMTS-13 activity was undetectable, and ADAMTS-13-inhibiting antibodies were present. None of the 26 patients with TTP and severe ADAMTS-13 deficiency was positive for the lupus anticoagulant. One of these patients had a low level of anticardiolipin antibodies (22 IgG phospholipid units). In the 20 patients with primary APS, mean ADAMTS-13 activity was 116% (range 44-250%), and no severe deficiency (< 5%) was observed. Our findings suggest that primary APS must be added to the list of autoimmune disorders that can be complicated by TTP.

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Journey in reverse: TTP from bedside to blood bank to bench.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is the most extensive and dangerous intravascular platelet clumping disorder. For more than a half-century after its initial recognition, mortality was near 100% and the etiology totally obscure. Then, in the late 1970s to early 1980s, empiric, but successful, therapy by a few clinician/blood bank partnerships was followed by sudden laboratory insight into pathophysiology. The discussion that follows was prepared in conjunction with the 2006 Francis Morrison, M.D., Memorial Lecture at the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Apheresis.

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Von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease and Upshaw-Schulman syndrome.

Vascular endothelial cell (EC)-produced plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) plays a critical role in primary hemostasis through its action of anchoring platelets onto the injured denuded subendothelial matrices under high shear stress. Unusually large vWF multimers (UL-vWFMs), present in plasma immediately after release from ECs, are most biologically active, but they are soon cleaved and degraded into smaller vWFMs by a specific plasma protease, termed vWF-cleaving protease (vWF-CPase), in normal circulation. Recent studies on the relationship between UL-vWFMs and vWF-CPase, together with its autoantibody (inhibitor) have brought about a clear discrimination between thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Furthermore, a congenital deficiency of this enzyme activity has been shown to cause Upshaw-Schulman syndrome, a complex constitutional bleeding diathesis. Successful purification of vWF-CPase revealed that this enzyme is composed of a single polypeptide with a molecular mass of approximately 190 kd, and its complementary DNA cloning unambiguously indicated that it is uniquely produced in the liver and its gene is located on chromosome 9q34. The messenger RNA of vWF-CPase had a span of 4.6 kb, and its enzyme was designated ADAMTS 13. The predicted complete amino acid sequence of this enzyme consisted of 1427 residues, including a signal peptide, a short propeptide terminating in the sequence RQRR, a reprolysin-like metalloprotease domain, a disintegrin-like domain, a thrombospondin-1 repeat (TSP1), a cysteine-rich domain, an ADAMTS spacer, 7 additional TSP1 repeats, and 2 CUB domains.

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Ticlopidine-Associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with an IgG-type inhibitor to von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease activity.

A 41-year-old Japanese man complained of a left-sided visual disturbance. Imaging by magnetic resonance angiography revealed a narrowing of the left internal cervical artery. Thus, ticlopidine (Tc) administration was started at a daily dose of 300 mg. However, 2 weeks later, severe thrombocytopenia, fever, nausea, and psychiatric symptoms developed; Tc was therefore discontinued. Based on the diagnostic hallmark of 5 clinical signs, the patient's disease was diagnosed as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Daily plasmapheresis was performed for the first 4 days, and the patient's clinical signs gradually improved. Von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (vWF-CPase) activity in his plasma was less than 3% of that of the control sample at diagnosis, but that value recovered steadily following plasmapheresis. In addition, immunoglobulin G purified from the patient plasma inhibited vWF-CPase activity in normal plasma with a specific activity of 0.8 Bethesda units/mg. No sign of TTP relapse has been noted following cessation of Tc. Thus, it was concluded that the patient developed TTP by producing an inhibitory autoantibody against vWF-CPase activity that was presumably triggered by Tc administration.

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