1
|
Meier RT, Porcelijn L, Hofstede-van Egmond S, Henskens YMC, Coutinho JM, Kruip MJHA, Stroobants AK, Zwaginga JJ, van der Bom JG, van der Schoot CE, de Haas M, Kapur R. Laboratory approach for vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia diagnosis in the Netherlands. Vox Sang 2024. [PMID: 38597072 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare adverse effect characterized by thrombocytopenia and thrombosis occurring after COVID-19 vaccination. VITT pathophysiology is not fully unravelled but shows similarities to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT is characterized by the presence of antibodies against platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin complex, which can activate platelets in an FcγRIIa-dependent manner, whereas IgG-antibodies directed against PF4 play an important role in VITT. MATERIALS AND METHODS We characterized all clinically suspected VITT cases in the Netherlands from a diagnostic perspective and hypothesized that patients who developed both thrombocytopenia and thrombosis display underlying mechanisms similar to those in HIT. We conducted an anti-PF4 ELISA and a functional PF4-induced platelet activation assay (PIPAA) with and without blocking the platelet-FcγRIIa and found positivity in both tests, suggesting VITT with mechanisms similar to those in VITT. RESULTS We identified 65 patients with both thrombocytopenia and thrombosis among 275 clinically suspected VITT cases. Of these 65 patients, 14 (22%) tested positive for anti-PF4 and PF4-dependent platelet activation. The essential role of platelet-FcγRIIa in VITT with mechanisms similar to those in HIT was evident, as platelet activation was inhibited by an FcγRIIa-blocking antibody in all 14 patients. CONCLUSION Our study shows that only a small proportion of clinically suspected VITT patients with thrombocytopenia and thrombosis have anti-PF4-inducing, FcɣRIIa-dependent platelet activation, suggesting an HIT-like pathophysiology. This leaves the possibility for the presence of another type of pathophysiology ('non-HIT like') leading to VITT. More research on pathophysiology is warranted to improve the diagnostic algorithm and to identify novel therapeutic and preventive strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Romy T Meier
- Department of Experimental Immunohematology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leendert Porcelijn
- Department of Immunohematology Diagnostics, Sanquin Diagnostic Services, Sanquin, The Netherlands
| | | | - Yvonne M C Henskens
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marieke J H A Kruip
- Department of Haematology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - An K Stroobants
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap J Zwaginga
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna G van der Bom
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C Ellen van der Schoot
- Department of Experimental Immunohematology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Masja de Haas
- Department of Immunohematology Diagnostics, Sanquin Diagnostic Services, Sanquin, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rick Kapur
- Department of Experimental Immunohematology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nguyen TH, Chen LY, Khan NZ, Lindenbauer A, Bui VC, Zipfel PF, Heinrich D. The Binding of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein to Platelet Factor 4: A Proposed Mechanism for the Generation of Pathogenic Antibodies. Biomolecules 2024; 14:245. [PMID: 38540666 PMCID: PMC10967930 DOI: 10.3390/biom14030245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies contributed to the abnormal coagulation profiles in COVID-19 and vaccinated patients. However, the mechanism of what triggers the body to produce these antibodies has not yet been clarified. Similar patterns and many comparable features between the COVID-19 virus and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) have been reported. Previously, we identified a new mechanism of autoimmunity in HIT in which PF4-antibodies self-clustered PF4 and exposed binding epitopes for other pathogenic PF4/eparin antibodies. Here, we first proved that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP) also binds to PF4. The binding was evidenced by the increase in mass and optical intensity as observed through quartz crystal microbalance and immunosorbent assay, while the switching of the surface zeta potential caused by protein interactions and binding affinity of PF4-SP were evaluated by dynamic light scattering and isothermal spectral shift analysis. Based on our results, we proposed a mechanism for the generation of PF4 antibodies in COVID-19 patients. We further validated the changes in zeta potential and interaction affinity between PF4 and SP and found that their binding mechanism differs from ACE2-SP binding. Importantly, the PF4/SP complexes facilitate the binding of anti-PF4/Heparin antibodies. Our findings offer a fresh perspective on PF4 engagement with the SARS-CoV-2 SP, illuminating the role of PF4/SP complexes in severe thrombotic events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thi-Huong Nguyen
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98694 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Li-Yu Chen
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Institute of Miccrobiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Nida Zaman Khan
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98694 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Annerose Lindenbauer
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Van-Chien Bui
- Department of Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment, Eichsfeldwerke GmbH, 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Peter F. Zipfel
- Institute of Miccrobiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Doris Heinrich
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98694 Ilmenau, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institut für Silicatforschung, Neunerplatz, 97082 Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang C, Wang I, Chitkara A, Swankutty J, Patel R, Kubba SV. Anti-PF4 antibodies and their relationship with COVID infection. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2024:S2531-1379(24)00005-1. [PMID: 38388299 DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2023.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Detecting anti-PF4 antibodies remains the golden diagnostic method for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Various lab tests detect anti-PF4 antibodies, including immunoassays and functional assays. Even with positive detection of the anti-PF4 antibody, several factors are involved in the result. The concept of anti-PF4 disorders was recently brought to light during the COVID pandemic since the development of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) with the adenovirus-vectored-DNA vaccine during the pandemic. Circumstances that detect anti-PF4 antibodies are classified as anti-PF4 disorders, including VITT, autoimmune HIT and spontaneous HIT. Some studies showed a higher percentage of anti-PF4 antibody detection among the population infected by COVID-19 without heparin exposure and some supported the theory that the anti-PF4 antibodies were related to the disease severity. In this review article, we provide a brief review of anti-PF4 disorders and summarize the current studies of anti-PF4 antibodies and COVID-19 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chieh Yang
- School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, USA
| | - Irene Wang
- School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, USA
| | | | | | | | - Samir V Kubba
- School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ngo ATP, Bochenek V, Gollomp K. The immunology of PF4 polyanion interactions. Curr Opin Hematol 2023; 30:219-229. [PMID: 37603711 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Platelet factor 4 (PF4, CXCL4), the most abundant α-granule platelet-specific chemokine, forms tetramers with an equatorial ring of high positive charge that bind to a wide range of polyanions, after which it changes conformation to expose antigenic epitopes. Antibodies directed against PF4 not only help to clear infection but can also lead to the development of thrombotic disorders such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT). This review will outline the different mechanisms through which PF4 engagement with polyanions combats infection but also contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory and thrombotic disease states. RECENT FINDINGS Recent work has shown that PF4 binding to microbial polyanions may improve outcomes in infection by enhancing leukocyte-bacterial binding, tethering pathogens to neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), decreasing the thrombotic potential of NET DNA, and modulating viral infectivity. However, PF4 binding to nucleic acids may enhance their recognition by innate immune receptors, leading to autoinflammation. Lastly, while HIT is induced by platelet activating antibodies that bind to PF4/polyanion complexes, VITT, which occurs in a small subset of patients treated with COVID-19 adenovirus vector vaccines, is characterized by prothrombotic antibodies that bind to PF4 alone. SUMMARY Investigating the complex interplay of PF4 and polyanions may provide insights relevant to the treatment of infectious disease while also improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of thrombotic disorders driven by anti-PF4/polyanion and anti-PF4 antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anh T P Ngo
- Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | | | - Kandace Gollomp
- Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Barkas GI, Kotsiou OS. The Role of Osteopontin in Respiratory Health and Disease. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1259. [PMID: 37623509 PMCID: PMC10455105 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13081259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The biological functions of osteopontin (OPN) are diverse and specific to physiological and pathophysiological conditions implicated in inflammation, biomineralization, cardiovascular diseases, cellular viability, cancer, diabetes, and renal stone disease. We aimed to present the role of OPN in respiratory health and disease. OPN influences the immune system and is a chemo-attractive protein correlated with respiratory disease severity. There is evidence that OPN can advance the disease stage associated with its fibrotic, inflammatory, and immune functions. OPN contributes to eosinophilic airway inflammation. OPN can destroy the lung parenchyma through its neutrophil influx and fibrotic mechanisms, linking OPN to at least one of the two major chronic obstructive pulmonary disease phenotypes. Respiratory diseases that involve irreversible lung scarring, such as idiopathic pulmonary disease, are linked to OPN, with protein levels being overexpressed in individuals with severe or advanced stages of the disorders and considerably lower levels in those with less severe symptoms. OPN plays a significant role in lung cancer progression and metastasis. It is also implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension, coronavirus disease 2019, and granuloma generation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgios I. Barkas
- Department of Human Pathophysiology, Faculty of Nursing, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Ourania S. Kotsiou
- Department of Human Pathophysiology, Faculty of Nursing, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Roncati L, Manenti A, Corsi L. A Three-Case Series of Thrombotic Deaths in Patients over 50 with Comorbidities Temporally after modRNA COVID-19 Vaccination. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040435. [PMID: 35456110 PMCID: PMC9032304 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the most dramatic pandemic of the new millennium; to counteract it, specific vaccines have been launched in record time under emergency use authorization or conditional marketing authorization by virtue of a favorable risk/benefit balance. Among the various technological platforms, there is that exploiting a nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (modRNA), such as Comirnaty®, and that which is adenoviral vector-based. In the ongoing pharmacovigilance, the product information of the latter has been updated about the risk of thrombotic thrombocytopenia, venous thromboembolism without thrombocytopenia and immune thrombocytopenia without thrombosis. However, from an in-depth literature review, the same adverse events can rarely occur with modRNA vaccines too. In support of this, we here report a three-case series of thrombotic deaths in patients over 50 with comorbidities temporally after Comirnaty®, investigated by means of post-mortem histopathology and immunohistochemistry. In two out of three cases, the cause of death is traced back to pulmonary microthromboses rich in activated platelets, quite similar morphologically to those described in patients who died from severe COVID-19. Even if remote in the face of millions of administered doses, clinicians should be aware of the possible thrombotic risk also after Comirnaty®, in order to avoid a misdiagnosis with potentially lethal consequences. Since COVID-19 vaccines are inoculated in subjects to be protected, maximum attention must be paid to their safety, and prophylactic measures to increase it are always welcome. In light of the evidence, the product information of modRNA COVID-19 vaccines should be updated about the thrombotic risk, as happened for adenoviral vector-based vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Roncati
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplantation, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Correspondence: or or
| | - Antonio Manenti
- Unit of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplantation, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Corsi
- Department of Life Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Inter-University Consortium, 00136 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|