Publication Date:
2014-12-06
Description:
Background: Although Factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates are now routinely used for the prophylactic treatment of hemophilia A (HA), the optimal doses and intervals between administrations are difficult to predict because of variable pharmacokinetics of FVIII (FVIII-PK) between patients. Previous studies in HA have revealed a close relationship between FVIII-PK and the FVIII carrier protein, von Willebrand factor (VWF). A large genome-wide association study from the CHARGE consortium highlighted several novel loci associated with plasma levels of VWF and FVIII in normal subjects, and the five genetic loci associated with FVIII levels coincided with those influencing VWF levels (Smith, 2010). Objective: To investigate the effects of VWF synthesis, clearance and genetic variability on FVIII-PK in young HA patients. We hypothesized that 1) plasma VWF:Ag levels (VWF secretion and clearance), 2) polymorphic variants within the FVIII binding region of VWF, and 3) the glycosylation pattern of VWF (N-linked and ABO blood group antigen) would influence FVIII-PK. Methods: HA males recruited at two large academic pediatric hemophilia centers (The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and the Medical University of Vienna) were enrolled. Blood was collected at 5 time points (pre, post FVIII-infusion: 1, 9, 24, and 48 h), and FVIII-PK parameters, clearance (CL), volume of distribution (VD) and half-life (HL), were calculated based on a Bayesian model. Plasma levels of VWF (VWF:Ag), VWF propeptide (VWFpp) and FVIII binding ability of VWF (VWF:FVIIIB) were also evaluated. Genetic analysis of the FVIII-binding region and glycosylation sites of VWF was performed. Results: Samples from 33 boys [median age 10.9 years (range 6.5-17.9)] with severe HA were evaluated. Median values of FVIII-CL, VD and HL were 0.032 dl/h/kg (range 0.018-0.062), 0.47 dl/kg (0.29-0.78), and 10.2 h (6.7-16.8), respectively. VWF:Ag, VWFpp, VWFpp/VWF:Ag ratio and VWF:FVIIIB were 86.6 IU/dl (39.9-141.6), 88.2 U/dl (43.5-156.6), 1.09 (0.33-1.71) and 70.3% (41.2-101.9), respectively. FVIII-CL (r=-0.41, p
Print ISSN:
0006-4971
Electronic ISSN:
1528-0020
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
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