Homozygous protein C deficiency with a double variant His 202 to Tyr and Ala 346 to Thr

We present the protein C gene analysis of a patient with homozygous protein C deficiency. The patient was referred with purpura fulminans 3 h after birth. Skin necroses had developed on the scalp, abdomen and upper extremities when he was two days old. His protein C activity was 0.03-0.05 IU/ml and the levels in his consanguineous parents were 0.32 and 0.40 IU/ml. He was treated initially with fresh frozen plasma, and later with daily oral anticoagulants, for two episodes of skin necrosis. He had three more episodes of skin necroses that were treated with intravenous protein C concentrate. He is now two years old and under treatment with daily coumarin 0.1-0.2 mg/kg per day to keep the International Normalized Ratio between 2.0-4.5. DNA analysis showed that he is homozygous for a double variant bearing His 202 to Tyr and Ala 346 to Thr mutations. His parents were each heterozygous for the double variant and were consanguineous. This mutation has been reported previously in an Austrian patient but this is the first homozygous case for this double variant.

Lack of sequence variations in the C4b-BP beta-chain in patients with type III protein S deficiency bearing the Ser 460 to Pro mutation: description of two new intragenic isomorphisms in the C4b-BP beta-chain gene (C4BPB)

Type III protein S (PS) deficiency, characterized by low levels of free PS and normal total PS levels, is often associated with the Ser 460 to Pro substitution. However, some patients bearing this mutation have normal PS levels, suggesting that another gene defect may account for this phenotype. We postulated that this defect was located in the C4b-BP beta-chain gene (C4BPB) and searched for a mutation in the coding regions of this gene in 35 propositi with type III PS deficiency and bearing the Ser 460 to Pro mutation. No mutations explaining the phenotype of type III PS deficiency were identified. We did, however, find two frequent nucleotide changes, one being located in the donor splice site of intron d and the second in the codon corresponding to Asn 137. We used these two polymorphisms to establish C4BPB gene haplotype in five informative type III PS-deficient families and exclude a role of the C4BPB gene in this phenotype of three of them. Finally, increased C4b-BP beta-chain levels were not responsible for the phenotype of type III PS deficiency as the C4BPB haplotype did not correlate with C4b-BP beta-chain levels.

Protein S deficiency

The protein C (PC) pathway, with its cofactor protein S (PS), is an important natural antithrombotic mechanism. Patients with phenotypic PS deficiency may develop recurrent thrombosis during adulthood, with a probability of remaining free of thrombosis of about 50% at age 45. The molecular basis for hereditary PS deficiencies is highly heterogeneous, with a large spectrum of mutations that have various effects on the expression of the relevant allele.

Protein C and protein S deficiencies

The protein C (PC) pathway, with its cofactor protein S (PS), is an important natural antithrombotic mechanism. Both PC and PS deficiencies have been implicated in thrombophilia. The molecular basis for hereditary PC and PS deficiencies is highly heterogeneous, with a large spectrum of mutations that have various effects on the expression of the relevant allele. A small subset of patients who are homozygous or compound heterozygous for a PC gene mutation have severe thrombotic complications at birth, whereas onset occurs later in the other cases. Patients heterozygous for a PC or PS gene abnormality may develop recurrent thrombosis during adulthood, with a probability of remaining free of thrombosis of about 50% at age 45. A PC or PS gene defect is associated with the factor V Arg 506 to Gln mutation in 10% to 30% of symptomatic patients, suggesting that clinical expression is controlled by several genes in heterozygous patients.

Molecular basis for protein C hereditary deficiency

The clinical presentation of hereditary protein C deficiency is highly variable. Homozygosity and compound heterozygosity have been linked to severe thrombotic complications early in the life. Heterozygous patients have a moderate form of the disease with deep venous thrombosis during adulthood. In the French population, we found 53 different mutations in 90 families. The amount of the protein C produced by the mutant allele as well as the genetic status partly account for the variable clinical expression. Other gene may also be involved: Arg 506 to Gln factor V mutation shows a frequency of 10 to 20% in symptomatic protein C deficient patients. Some protein C gene mutations are associated with a non functional circulating protein; most of them are located in the GLA domain and in the serine protease domain. The biochemical characterization of a few of theses variants has shown the important role of some amino acids on the activation and the mechanism of action of protein C.

Molecular basis for protein S hereditary deficiency: genetic defects observed in 118 patients with type I and type IIa deficiencies. The French Network on Molecular Abnormalities Responsible for Protein C and Protein S Deficiencies

Circulating protein S (PS) is partly bound to C4b-binding protein, and only free PS can act as a cofactor for protein C (PC), a natural anticoagulant. Two types of PS deficiencies are commonly observed in patients with unexplained thrombosis, and they are characterized by having both a low total PS level and a low free PS level (type I) or by having only a low free PS level (type IIa). To elucidate the genetic mechanisms responsible for these two plasma phenotypes, we screened 118 symptomatic patients with type I or type IIa PS deficiency for a PS gene coding sequence variation. A total of 34 mutations, 17 of which were novel, were identified in 65 propositi (70% in type I and 44% in type IIa). In type I deficiency, 29 different mutations were distributed throughout the coding sequence. In type IIa deficiency, five different missense mutations were clustered in exons XII and XIII, with a Ser 460 to Pro mutation accounting for most cases (82%). This points to a role of the domain encoded by exons XII and XIII in the distribution between bound and free PS. The Ser 460 to Pro mutation was associated with the factor V Arg 506 to Gin mutation or a PC gene mutation in about half the patients, suggesting a cooperative effect on clinical expression.

First case of sporadic protein S deficiency due to a novel candidate mutation, Ala 484-->Pro, in the protein S active gene (PROS1)

In a series of 16 propositi with symptomatic protein S deficiency and a protein S gene mutation, we identified a sporadic case of a novel mutation that probably affects gene expression. The mutation, a G to C transversion leading to the substitution of Ala 484 by Pro, was not found in the protein S gene of the patient's parents. Transmission of the paternal and maternal protein S alleles was apparently normal, on the basis of the frequent polymorphism in exon XV. We also checked the transmission of chromosomal material by analysing protein C gene polymorphisms, beta-globin gene frameworks and four variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs). By combining the results of these analyses, we were able to rule out nonpaternity and to confirm the de novo nature of the mutation.

Five novel mutations of the protein S active gene (PROS 1) in 8 Norman families

To further elucidate the molecular basis for hereditary thrombophilia, we screened the protein S active gene in 11 families with type I deficiency, using a strategy based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of all the coding sequences. Fragments with an abnormal DGGE pattern were sequenced, and 5 novel mutations were identified in 8 families. The mutations were a 7-nucleotide deletion in exon II, a 4-nucleotide deletion in exon III, a T insertion in exon VII, a C to T transition transforming Leu 259 into Pro and a T to C transition transforming Cys 625 into Arg in 4 families. These mutations were the only sequence variations found in the propositus' gene exons and co-segregated with the plasma phenotype. A total of 28 members of these 8 families were heterozygous for one of the 5 mutations. Twenty-four (58,5%) of the 41 deficient subjects over 18 years of age had clinical thrombophilia, whereas the 13 subjects under 18 were asymptomatic. Of the 28 subjects, 6 (21,5%) were also found to bear the factor V Arg 506 Gln mutation.

Role of Fc gamma RIIA gene polymorphism in human platelet activation by monoclonal antibodies

The aim of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between the activity of a MoAb as an agonist and its ability to bind to the Fc platelet receptor, Fc gamma RIIa. A polymorphism at amino acid 131 [arginine (Arg) or histidine (His)] of Fc gamma RIIa was first shown to be determinant for MoAb-IgG1 binding on monocytes. To clarify the role of this polymorphism in platelet activation by MoAb-IgG1 we (i) established the Fc gamma RIIa polymorphism at the gene level by adapting the denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis method, (ii) analyzed the binding affinity of the MoAbs to Fc gamma RIIa on platelets from homozygous Arg, homozygous His, and heterozygous Arg/His donors, and (iii) characterized the different reactivities of platelets according to the Fc gamma RIIA polymorphism. Among 167 caucasian donors we found 46% heterozygous Arg/His, 36% homozygous His and 18% homozygous Arg. ALB6, and anti CD9, P256 an anti GPIIb-IIIa, and AP3 an anti-GPIIIa were chosen according to their ability (ALB6, P256) or not (AP3) to activate platelets. These 3 MoAbs-IgG1 bind to Fc gamma RIIa with a stronger affinity for the Arg-form of Fc gamma RIIa, a result which was confirmed with the use of diverse MoAbs directed against various antigens. The different abilities of MoAbs to bind to the two Fc gamma RIIa forms were well correlated to the different platelet responses induced by ALB6 and P256. However, low concentrations of ALB6, which allow full activation of platelets from homozygous Arg donors, as did P256, did not induce any activation of platelets from homozygous His donors, whereas P256 is able to induce a low aggregation. The results further define the respective roles of the antigen and the Fc receptor, depending on the MoAb, and the role of the Fc gamma RIIa polymorphism in platelet activation induced by MoAbs. In addition, the results obtained with MoAbs unable to induce platelet activation provided evidence that the binding of a MoAb on Fc gamma RIIa does not predict its ability to activate platelets.

The Ser 460 to Pro substitution of the protein S alpha (PROS1) gene is a frequent mutation associated with free protein S (type IIa) deficiency

A Ser 460 to Pro mutation of protein S (PS), involving a T to C transition in exon XIII of the protein S alpha (PROS1) gene and known as the Heerlen polymorphism, was found in 16 of 85 symptomatic patients with PS deficiency (18.8%) and only 1 of 113 healthy subjects (0.8%). Another frequent polymorphism was described in exon XV of the PROS1 gene, in the codon for Pro 626 (CCA/CCG). We found that Heerlen polymorphism was associated with allele CCA and not with allele CCG, suggesting a probable transmission by a common ancestor. Most subjects bearing the Ser 460 to Pro mutation were deficient in free PS, but had normal total PS levels. Normal levels of the C4b-binding protein (C4b-BP) isoform containing a beta chain (C4b-BP beta +) ruled out increased C4b-BP beta + as a cause of the free-PS deficiency. The binding curves of the mutated (Heerlen) PS on C4b-BP immobilized on microplates were biphasic, suggesting that one molecule of C4b-BP can bind two molecules of Heerlen PS. Because normal PS binds to C4b-BP with 1:1 stoichiometry, this may explain the free-PS deficiency observed in patients carrying the Ser 460 to Pro mutation.

Identification of mutations in 90 of 121 consecutive symptomatic French patients with a type I protein C deficiency. The French INSERM Network on Molecular Abnormalities Responsible for Protein C and Protein S deficiencies

By studying the protein C gene of 121 consecutive patients with symptomatic type I protein C deficiency, we detected 55 different candidate mutations in 90 cases. The mutations, 76% of which were missense changes, were distributed throughout the gene. More than half the missense mutations involved Cys, Phe, Pro, or Gly, amino acids known to affect the structure of the polypeptide chain by various mechanisms. Thus, 40% of protein C deficiencies may be caused by polypeptide chain instability rather than a lack of expression of the mutated allele; this may also account for phenotypic heterogeneity. Seventeen of the 55 different mutations were found in apparently unrelated families. Half the French families we studied bore one of these 17 mutations. The wide variety of mutations suggests that both sporadic cases and a founder effect contribute to the spectrum of protein C mutations in a given population. The differences in both unique and recurrent mutations in French and Dutch populations-the only large population samples so far studied-support this hypothesis.

Incidence of activated protein C resistance caused by the ARG 506 GLN mutation in factor V in 113 unrelated symptomatic protein C-deficient patients. The French Network on the behalf of INSERM

Because multiple risk factors in one patient may increase the clinical expression of thrombophilia, we assessed the presence in protein C-deficient patients of the factor V Arg 506 Gln mutation responsible for activated protein C resistance. Using a strategy allowing rapid screening of factor V exon 10, we studied 113 patients with protein C deficiency and 104 healthy volunteers. We detected the Arg 506 Gln mutation in 15 patients (14%) and in one healthy subject (1%). We identified a previously unpublished sequence variation leading to an Arg 485 Lys substitution in three normal subjects and seven protein C-deficient patients. A significant difference in the allelic frequency of the Arg 506 Gln factor V mutation was found between protein C-deficient patients heterozygous for an identified protein C mutation (n = 84; allelic frequency, 4.8%) and protein C-deficient patients with no identified mutation in the protein C gene coding regions (n = 25; allelic frequency, 14%). The results demonstrate that a significant subset of thrombophilic patients has multiple genetic risk factors although additional secondary genetic risk factors remain to be identified for the majority of symptomatic protein C-deficient patients.

A review of mutations causing deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C and protein S

The mutations observed in patients with antithrombin and protein C deficiencies are mostly substitutions of one nucleotide, or deletions/insertions of fewer than 10 nucleotides in the exons and intron-exon junctions. These genomic abnormalities result in missense changes (involving aminoacids important for protein folding), aberrant polypeptide chains and/or premature termination codons, or abnormal splicing precluding DNA transcription. The number of mutations so far identified is such that it is difficult to use genomic DNA analysis for diagnostic purpose. However, identification of the gene defect can be useful in well-defined situations, such as the risk of homozygosity, and complex or ambiguous plasma phenotypes, which frequently occur in protein C deficiency. Protein S deficiency, the molecular bases of which have been less extensively studied, is due to micromodifications of the coding sequence in only half the cases investigated so far. The mechanisms involved in the remaining cases remain to be identified.

A rapid screening method for the factor V Arg506-->Gln mutation

This study compared a rapid method to detect the nucleotide mutation 1691 G-->A, responsible for the factor V Arg506-->Gln substitution, with a previously established denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique in 136 patients with unexplained thrombosis. The new method comprises amplification of the factor V gene exon 10 with a modified oligonucleotide, permitting the introduction of a cleavage site for the restriction endonuclease HindIII in the fragments bearing the mutation. This simple, rapid, inexpensive and nonisotopic method gave the same results as the DGGE method in all subjects tested.

Mechanism of protein C deficiency in a patient with arginine 358 alpha 1-antitrypsin (Pittsburgh mutation): role in the maintenance of hemostatic balance

We recently described a new case of alpha 1-antithrombin (alpha 1-AT) Pittsburgh, a mutation that transforms alpha 1-AT into a potent inhibitor of thrombin. In contrast to the originally described patient, who had a severe hemorrhagic diathesis, our proband had only a mild bleeding tendency. The current article explores possible mechanisms for the relative hemostatic competence of our patient. The levels of both normal and mutant alpha 1-AT were similar to those of the previously reported case, as was the rise in plasma antithrombin level during an acute phase reaction. The level of protein C, however, was found on several occasions to be approximately 20% of normal. Family studies and examination of the patient's protein C gene on a denaturing gel failed to identify an abnormality. Moreover, the patient's protein C showed no abnormalities suggestive of faulty intracellular processing. However, the protein C in his plasma was for the most part in the activated form and bound to the mutant alpha 1-AT. Thus it is likely that the strong affinity of mutant alpha 1-AT for protein C leads to an increased turnover and thus to a low circulating level. A seeming flaw in that scenario is that the mutant alpha 1-AT also has a very high affinity for thrombin and might be expected therefore to block the activation of protein C. When thrombin was complexed with thrombomodulin (as it is when protein C is physiologically activated at the endothelial surface), mutant alpha 1-AT was far less able to inhibit thrombin than was the case for the free enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protein C infusion in a patient with inherited protein C deficiency caused by two missense mutations: Arg 178 to Gln and Arg-1 to His

This paper reports the case of an adult patient with severe protein C(PC) deficiency. She had the first deep vein thrombosis when she was 14 years old and developed skin necrosis when oral anticoagulant treatment was started. The same sequence of thrombotic complications recurred several times. Analysis of the PC gene coding sequences allowed two mutations (Arg-1 to His and Arg 178 to Gln) to be identified in this compound heterozygote. Oral anticoagulant treatment during PC concentrate infusion and low-molecular-weight heparin administration was successful and uncomplicated.

Identification of 15 different candidate causal point mutations and three polymorphisms in 19 patients with protein S deficiency using a scanning method for the analysis of the protein S active gene

To screen for point mutations causing protein S deficiency, we used a sequence of techniques specifically for the study of the protein S active gene, PS alpha. This strategy comprises amplification of exons and intron/exon junctions by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electrophoresis of the amplified fragments in polyacrylamide gel containing a gradient of denaturing agents (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis). Only fragments with altered melting behavior are sequenced after asymmetric PCR. Beside the frequent polymorphism already described on Pro 626, we detected 18 different sequence variations by studying exons II, IV, V, VIII, X, and XV in 19 of 100 consecutive patients with protein S deficiency. Fifteen were candidate causal mutations, 4 of which were associated with a qualitative deficiency (type IIa or IIb). The remaining three sequence variations were probably polymorphisms.

First de novo mutations in the protein C gene of two patients with type I deficiency: a missense mutation and a splice site deletion

In a series of 40 patients with symptomatic protein C deficiency, we identified two sporadic cases with novel mutations that probably affect gene expression. The mutations, a 5-bp deletion of the donor splice site of intron f (nucleotides 3455 to 3459) and a mutation of nucleotide 8523 in exon IX leading to the substitution of Ser 270 by Pro, were not found in the protein C gene of the patients' parents. Transmission of the paternal and maternal protein C alleles was apparently normal on the basis of frequent polymorphisms in exons I, VI, and VIII. We also checked the transmission of the chromosomal material by analyzing the beta-globin gene frameworks and three variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs). By combining the results of intragenic polymorphism, VNTR and beta-globin gene framework analyses, we were able to exclude nonpaternity and confirm the de novo origin of the mutation.

[A new cause of familial thrombophilia: resistance to the effect of activated protein C]

An examination of the cascade of events leading to coagulation emphasizes the importance of protein inhibitors. Deficiencies in these proteins have been implicated as playing a possible causal role in familial thrombo-embolic diseases. Recently the discovery of a probable deficiency in protein C cofactor, different from protein S, stimulated much research in this area. Protein C is a 461 amino acid vitamin K-dependent protein with a molar mass of 62,000 Daltons. After transduction the precursor protein is modified into an active form. Circulating protein C is then activated by proteolysis on the endothelial surface under the control of thrombomodulin-bound thrombin. Thus thrombin affects both procoagulation by activating factors V and VIII (and XI) and anticoagulation after being bound to thrombomodulin. Inactivation of factors V and VIII requires calcium, phospholipids and a C-protein cofactor, protein S. On the basis of clinical observations, it was hypothesized then confirmed that deficiency in a non-identified cofactor of protein C could explain resistance to the anticoagulating action of activated protein C. Purification of the plasma fraction carrying the cofactor activity led to the isolation of a protein which has all the biochemical properties of factor V. In addition, adding factor V to affected plasma has been shown to correct for resistance to activated protein C. But paradoxically, patients with resistance to the action of activated protein C have a normal level of factor V. The mutation responsible for activated protein C resistance was found to be a Gln for Arg mutation at position 506 of factor V. The implication of this mutation has been very recently confirmed and led rapidly to the development of molecular biology methods allowing its identification. At present, this new cause of familial hypercoagulable states can thus be identified with polymerase chain reaction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. These advances have increased the number of identifiable hypercoagulable states, yet further work is needed since currently less than 10% of these diseases can be explained by deficiencies in one of the inhibitor proteins, antithrombin III, protein C or protein S.