Syntaxin-binding protein 5 exocytosis regulation: differential role in endothelial cells and platelets

Novel Thrombotic Function of a Human SNP in STXBP5 Revealed by CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing in Mice

OBJECTIVE

To identify and characterize the effect of a SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) in the STXBP5 locus that is associated with altered thrombosis in humans. GWAS (genome-wide association studies) have identified numerous SNPs associated with human thrombotic phenotypes, but determining the functional significance of an individual candidate SNP can be challenging, particularly when in vivo modeling is required. Recent GWAS led to the discovery of STXBP5 as a regulator of platelet secretion in humans. Further clinical studies have identified genetic variants of STXBP5 that are linked to altered plasma von Willebrand factor levels and thrombosis in humans, but the functional significance of these variants in STXBP5 is not understood.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We used CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated 9) techniques to produce a precise mouse model carrying a human coding SNP rs1039084 (encoding human p. N436S) in the STXBP5 locus associated with decreased thrombosis. Mice carrying the orthologous human mutation (encoding p. N437S in mouse STXBP5) have lower plasma von Willebrand factor levels, decreased thrombosis, and decreased platelet secretion compared with wild-type mice. This thrombosis phenotype recapitulates the phenotype of humans carrying the minor allele of rs1039084. Decreased plasma von Willebrand factor and platelet activation may partially explain the decreased thrombotic phenotype in mutant mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Using precise mammalian genome editing, we have identified a human nonsynonymous SNP rs1039084 in the STXBP5 locus as a causal variant for a decreased thrombotic phenotype. CRISPR/Cas9 genetic editing facilitates the rapid and efficient generation of animals to study the function of human genetic variation in vascular diseases.

Regulation of VWF expression, and secretion in health and disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large multidomain, multimeric glycoprotein that plays an essential role in regulating the balance between blood clotting and bleeding. Aberrant VWF regulation can lead to a spectrum of diseases extending from bleeding disorders [Von Willebrand disease (VWD)] to aberrant thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Understanding the biology of VWF expression and secretion is essential for developing novel targeted therapies for VWF-related hemostasis disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

A number of recent elegant in-vitro and in-vivo studies will be highlighted, including the discovery of intronic splicing in the VWF gene, microRNA-regulated VWF gene expression, and syntaxin binding protein and autophagy mediated VWF secretion. Compared with the already established critical role of VWF in VWD and TTP pathophysiology, additional clinical studies have clarified and reinforced the association of elevated plasma levels of VWF with an increased risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, venous thrombosis, and diabetic thrombotic complications. Moreover, experimental mouse models of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction have further supported VWF as a potential therapeutic target.

SUMMARY

VWF biosynthesis, maturation, and secretion is a complex process, which mandates tight regulation. Significant progress has been made in our understandings of VWF expression and secretion and its association with thrombotic diseases, contributing to the development of novel targeting VWF drugs for prevention and treatment of deficient and enhanced hemostasis.

What have we learned from large population studies of von Willebrand disease?

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a critical regulator of hemostatic processes, including collagen binding, platelet adhesion, and platelet aggregation. It also serves as a carrier protein to normalize plasma factor VIII synthesis, release, and survival. While VWF protein measurements by immunoassay are reasonably comparable between institutions, the measurement of VWF ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo) has significant variability. Other tests of VWF function, including collagen binding or platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa binding, are not universally available, yet these functional defects may cause major bleeding even with normal VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) and VWF:RCo assays. This results in both the overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of VWD. Newer assays of VWF function (using recombinant glycoprotein Ib rather than whole platelets) have been developed that may improve interlaboratory variability. Some of these tests are not uniformly available and may not be licensed in the United States. Large longitudinal studies of VWF in von Willebrand disease (VWD) patients are not available. Patients are sometimes diagnosed with a single diagnostic VWF panel. Plasma VWF levels increase with age, but it is not clear if this results in less bleeding or whether different normal ranges should be used to identify age-related decreases in VWF. In order to quantitatively compare bleeding symptoms in VWD patients and normal individuals, recent studies in the European Union, Canada, United Kingdom, Holland, and the United States have used semiquantitative bleeding assessment tools (BATs). Even with careful centralized testing, including functional assays of VWF, addition of a BAT does not solve all of the problems with VWD diagnosis. No matter where the line is drawn for diagnosis of VWD, VWF is still a continuous variable. Thus, VWD can be a severe hemorrhagic disease requiring frequent treatment or a mild condition that may not be clinically relevant. As will be discussed by Dr. Goodeve in her presentation, genetics has helped us to diagnose type 2 functional variants of VWD but has not been helpful for the many patients who are at the interface of normal and low VWF and carry the possible diagnosis of type 1 VWD. The hematologist's management of patients with reduced levels of VWF still requires both the art and science of clinical medicine.