A unique precipitating autoantibody against plasma thromboplastin antecedent associated with multiple apparent plasma clotting factor deficiencies in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

A 42-yr-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus without bleeding diathesis developed a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time that was not corrected by normal plasma. An inhibitor that acted rapidly and inactivated 0.5 U/ml plasma thromboplastin antecedent (PTA, factor XI) at a 1:200 plasma dilution was demonstrated. In addition to a low titer of PTA (less than 0.01 U/ml), plasma assayed at 20-fold dilution also showed low titers of Hageman (factor XII, 0.02 U/ml), Fletcher (plasma prekallikrein, 0.02 U/ml), and Fitzgerald (high molecular weight kininogen, less than 0.01 U/ml) factors. The titer of these factors, except PTA, returned to normal upon further plasma dilution or upon removal of the inhibitor by protein A adsorption. Thus, the inhibitor appeared to interfere with these clotting factor assays, possibly by inactivating PTA in the substrate plasmas in the test system. Its specificity was further confirmed. The inhibitor did not interfere with surface-induced proteolytic cleavage of Hageman factor. Surface-induced generation of plasma kallikrein activity (amidolysis of H-D-pro-phe-arg-pNa and cold-promoted factor VII activity enhancement) requires only Hageman, Fletcher, and Fitzgerald factors and was normal. Reactions requiring all 4 contact phase factors, including PTA, such as surface-induced generation of plasmin activity (amidolysis of H-D-val-leu-lys-pNa) and activated Christmas factor (factor IXa) activity, were defective. Furthermore, the inhibitor bound to agarose-protein A inactivated and removed PTA selectively from normal plasma. The inhibitor was an IgG-lambda autoantibody that precipitated PTA. The inactivated activated PTA (factor XIa) without the requirement for an additional cofactor. Furthermore, it inhibited surface-induced activation of PTA by interfering with its proteolytic cleavage upon glass surface exposure and with its binding onto the reactive surfaces.     

Factor XI deficiency caused by a mutation of Gly400Val

The patient described herein is a 69-year-old Japanese woman with a history of excessive bleeding after left heminephrectomy for a malignant renal tumor at 31 years of age. Her parents, who do not have abnormal bleeding, are first cousins. Her factor XI activity was less than 1% of normal with an prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of 74.3 seconds. Analysis of the patient's factor XI genes revealed homozygosity for a valine substituting for the wild-type glycine at amino acid 400 (Gly400Val). The patient has two children, neither of whom has abnormal bleeding and whose factor XI activities are 62% and 57% of normal, with APTT levels within normal limits in both cases. We herein report on a Japanese family with factor XI deficiency caused by Gly400Val mutation.     

Life-threatening bleeding in a patient with a lupus inhibitor and probable acquired factor VII deficiency.

We report the case of a 71-year-old man on warfarin for chronic atrial fibrillation presenting with a massive spontaneous soft tissue bleed. Despite reversing the effects of warfarin with large doses of intravenous vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma, bleeding continued, and his prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time remained prolonged. The prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time failed to correct with 50% normal plasma. Further investigations confirmed a lupus inhibitor with low levels of factors II, V, VII and XI. Factor II, V and XI levels normalized, however, when the patient's plasma was diluted 1:16 in buffer, suggesting the lupus inhibitor may have been interfering with these factor assays causing artefactual low results. Factor VII levels remained consistently low at all dilutions. The patient subsequently died following a massive left haemothorax despite surgical intervention and treatment with activated recombinant factor VII concentrate. We presumed the primary problem was bleeding from a local vascular lesion but the patient was never well enough to undergo confirmatory angiography. This case highlights the fact that patients with lupus inhibitors can develop severe haemorrhagic complications, and illustrates the complexities involved in both the investigation and treatment of abnormal bleeding in these patients.     

The Relation of 'Fletcher Factor' to Factors XI and XII

S ummary . Further evidence is presented for the existence of a new coagulation factor which is closely related to Hageman factor (XII) and plasma thromboplastin antecedent, PTA (XI). This factor has been tentatively designated 'Fletcher factor'. Coagulant activity of Fletcher factor was separated from the clotting activity of factors XI and XII by C-M Sephadex column chromatography of intact normal plasma. Other studies showed that the prolonged partial thromboplastin time or plasma recalcification time of Fletcher-deficient plasma could be 'corrected' by prolonged contact with celite, glass, kaolin, or ellagic acid; all are known activators of factor XII. Cytochrome c, known to inhibit the contact activation of factor XII, completely abolished this contact 'correction' of Fletcher-deficient plasma. Thus, the clotting times of plasmas deficient in Fletcher factor (presently found in seven individuals from four unrelated families) are readily corrected by activated factors XII and XI. None of these individuals has any bleeding tendencies.
Fletcher factor activity is deficient in the plasma of newborn infants; the factor is probably produced in the liver and not dependent on vitamin K for its synthesis.     

Congenital Haemorrhagic Condition Similar but Not Identical to Factor X Deficiency

A 23-year-old white male with a bleeding tendency since early childhood presented a congenital coagulation defect similar but not identical to factor X deficiency. A first and second stage defect were demonstrated, characterized by a prolonged prothrombin time, prolonged partial thromboplastin time, abnormal thromboplastin generation, abnormal prothrombin consumption. The Stypven clotting time was slightly prolonged on fresh plasma but was normal on frozen plasma. Factors I, II, V, VIII, IX, XI, and XII were all within normal limits; factor VII was at the lower limits of normally or slightly decreased. Mr. Stuart's plasma failed to correct the defect of the patients plasma; however, a known factor VII deficient plasma was able to correct the abnormality. Factor X levels showed low (3–13%) only when assayed using tissue whole thromboplastin or tissue partial thromboplastin; the factor X assay using a Stypven-cephalin mixture yielded normal or near normal values. The factor II + factor X level using a Stypven-cephalin mixture appeared normal also. The significance of the findings is discussed. The results are tentatively interpreted as being due to an abnormal factor X rather than to a real deficiency.     

Studies on a circulating anticoagulant inhibiting factor XI in a patient with congenital deficiency and carcinoma of the prostate

An inhibitor of plasma thromboplastin antecedent (PTA, factor XI), measured in coagulant and radioimmunoassays, was detected in a 60-year-old man with carcinoma of the prostate who had no evidence of a bleeding tendency. Family studies indicated that the patient was either a homozygote or a heterozygote for hereditary factor XI deficiency. In contrast to earlier described patients with factor XI deficiency in whom inhibitors were detected, the patient was unaware of having been transfused with blood or blood products at any time before the discovery of the inhibitor. The inhibitor of factor XI in the patient's plasma appeared to be predominantly in the IgG4 fraction and to be directed at a locus on the factor XI molecule other than the active site; it did not block the amidolytic properties of activated factor XI (XIa). Rather, it appeared to block adsorption of factor XI to negatively charged surfaces. The inhibitor interfered with measurement of other components of the intrinsic pathway of thrombin formation, perhaps explaining the low titres of other coagulation factors of the intrinsic system reported in patients with strong inhibitors directed against factor XI.     

A novel congenital haemostatic defect: combined factor VII and factor XI deficiency.

Isolated deficiencies of factors VII and XI are both rare. Not surprisingly, therefore, combined factor VII and XI deficiency has not been reported previously. We report here a kindred with a combined heterozygous deficiency for both factors VII and XI. The proposita is a 28-year-old woman who had both a prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and a prolonged activated partial prothrombin time (APTT) associated with a mild bleeding tendency. Coagulation studies were performed on the six available members of this kindred. The PT and APTT were normal or mildly abnormal in five of these individuals. Factor VII coagulant activity (VII:C) varied from 0.33 to 0.77 units/ml in affected subjects. In contrast, the concentration of factor VII-related antigen for the six individuals ranged from 0.68 to 2.10 units/ml. Comparable factor VII:C levels were obtained when each subject's plasma was tested with either a rabbit or a human thromboplastin reagent. Factor XI coagulant activity was less than 0.5 units/ml in three of the six subjects and normal (approximately 1.0 units/ml) in the other three. The concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin-III and prothrombin fragment 1.2 were within normal limits for all individuals. In addition to being associated with heterozygous factor XI deficiency, the abnormal factor VII molecule in the plasma of affected individuals in this kindred appears to represent a newly described mutation. This is suggested by the pattern of reactivity with thromboplastin from different species, the normal tissue factor binding and the bleeding tendency in heterozygous individuals in this kindred.     

Hemorrhagic varicella in parahemophilia

Summary A case of hemorrhagic varicella in a patient found to have parahemophilia is presented.The propositus was a 21-year old southern italian male who had a prolonged prothrombin time corrected by the addition of adsorbed normal plasma but not by the addition of normal serum, a prolonged partial thromboplastin time and an abnormal thromboplastin generation corrected by the substitution of the patient's adsorbed plasma with adsorbed normal plasma.The factor V level in the patient's plasma was 5% of normal. Platelet and vascular tests were normal. No inhibitor and no hyperfibrinolysis were found in the patient's plasma.Bleeding tendency was mild throughout his life and no hemarthrosis ever occurred. A maternal uncle of our propositus was known to have parahemophilia.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird von einem Fall von hämorrhagischen Varizellen bei einem Patienten berichtet, die sich als Parahämophilie herausstellten.Der Patient war ein 21jähriger Süditaliener, von Beruf Soldat, bei dem sich bei den Untersuchungen eine verlängerte Prothrombinzeit herausstellte. Diese war durch Zusatz von adsorbienrendem normalem Plasma verbessert worden, nicht jedoch mit normalem Serum.Eine verlängerte Partialthromboplastinzeit und eine anormale Thromboplastin-Generation wurden gefunden, die durch Ersatz des patienteneigenen adsorbierenden Plasmas mit normalem adsorbierendem Plasma korrigiert wurden.Das Faktor-V-Niveau im Patienten-Plasma betrug 5% des normalen. Plättchen-und Vaskulartests waren normal. Weder Inhibitoren noch Hyperf.brinolyse konnten in seinem Plasma festgestellt werden. Bluter-Tendenz war zeitlebens gering, es gab keine Hämarthrosis. Ein Onkel mütterlicherseits soll Parahämophilie haben.

     

Hemostatic defect due to acquired circulating inhibitors against lipid procoagulant and factor VIII

An 85 year old woman was studied because of severe bleeding. Acquired inhibitors to factor VIII and to phospholipid procoagulants were demonstrated. Platelet factor 3 (Pf3) assay was prolonged with both kaolin and Russell's Viper Venom (Stypven-R). It was normal with patient's washed platelets and normal plasma, but abnormal when normal platelets were incubated with patient's plasma. The inhibitor also blocked the coagulant action of Bell and Alton thromboplastin, inosithin, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl choline, but not that of tissue thromboplastin or cardiolipin. All other platelet functions were normal. The inhibitors were purified by Al (OH3) absorption, heating at 56degrees, precipitation by 50% ammonium sulfate, followed by dialysis and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. A partial separation of the two inhibitors was achieved. Cyclophosphamide treatment resulted in cessation of bleeding and dissappearance of the inhibitors. This seems to be the first instance of an acquired circulating inhibitor specifically directed against phospholipid procoagulants in a patient who also had an inhibitor to Factor VIII.     

A "new" congenital haemorrhagic condition due to the presence of an abnormal factor X (factor X Friuli): study of a large kindred

Summary Three related patients are presented who show a congenital coagulation disorder with laboratory features intermediate between classical factor-VII and factor-X deficiencies. A woman and two men had suffered from bleeding since early childhood, with epistaxis, bleeding from the gums, post-traumatic haemarthroses, bleeding after tooth extractions and other surgical procedures. Investigation demonstrated a prolonged prothrombin time, prolonged partial thromboplastin time, abnormal prothrombin consumption and abnormal thromboplastin generation corrected by normal serum. Platelet and vascular tests were normal and no hyperfibrinolysis was found. Factors I, II, V, VII, IX, XI and XII were within normal limits in all three patients. Mutual correction was demonstrated with a known factor-VII-deficient plasma but not with Stuart (X-deficient) plasma. Factor-X assay yielded low (4–9%) levels using tissue whole thromboplastin or tissue partial thromboplastin; but the results were normal with a Stypven-cephalin mixture. In agreement with these results, the Stypven-cephalin clotting time, the Stypven clotting time and the factor II + factor X level using a Stypven-cephalin mixture were normal, ‘correction’ being attributable to the Russell's Viper venom. These results were thought to indicate an abnormal factor X rather than a real deficiency. The presence of abnormal factor X was demonstrated by the antibody neutralization technique and by the immunodiffusion studies. The defect, like classical factor X deficiency, is transmitted as an autosomal incompletely recessive trait. The heterozygote population has factor-X levels varying from 32% to 55% of normal and are usually asymptomatic. The term ‘Factor X Friuli’ is proposed for the abnormality, due to a locally common mutant gene.     

Combined deficiency of factor V and factor VIII. A report of another case

Summary A patient with combined factor V and factor VIII deficiency is presented. The bleeding manifestations were: easy bruising, post-traumatic bleeding, bleeding after tooth extractions. The main laboratory feature was a prolonged partial thromboplastin time which was corrected by the addition of adsorbed normal plasma but not by the addition of normal serum, hemophilia A plasma or plasma of another patient with combined factor V and factor VIII deficiency. The thromboplastin generation test was clearly abnormal and was corrected by the addition of adsorbed normal plasma but not by the addition of normal serum. Prothrombin consumption was also defective.Prothrombin time was slightly prolonged too, Thrombin time, platelet and vascular tests were within normal limits and there was no hyperfibrinolysis. Factor VIII was 8% of normal, whereas factor V was 14% of normal. Factor VIII associated antigen was normal. All other clotting factors were within normal limits.The parents of the propositus were consanguineous (first cousins) but had normal factor V and factor VIII activity and normal factor VIII antigen. The same was true for other family members. The hereditary transmission of the condition appears autosomal recessive.This study was supported in part by a grant from the C.N.R. (grant CT. 74.00189.04).     

Platelets and Initiation of Intrinsic Clotting

S ummary . Comparison of activities in platelet rich and platelet poor plasmas from normal donors and patients deficient in either factor VIII, IX, XI or XII indicates that platelets contain activities which can partially substitute for plasma factors XI and XII. The factor-XI-like activity is expressed in a one-stage activated partial thromboplastin assay and in an intact prothrombin consumption system. The factor-XII-like activity is scarcely detectable in a one-stage assay but markedly enhances the defective prothrombin consumption of factor XII deficient plasma. Intact prothrombin consumption tests with platelet poor plasmas fortified with cephalin show that in the presence of high concentrations of platelet factor 3 activity only trace contact activation is required to promote good prothrombin consumption. The platelet, by supplying both platelet factor 3 and activities bypassing plasma contact activation factors XI and XII, may provide an important route for activating intrinsic clotting.     

Identification of a defective factor XI cross-reacting material in a factor XI-deficient patient

A homozygous factor XI-deficient girl, who appeared to be positive for cross-reacting material (CRM+) was studied for clarification. Factor XI antigen (F XI:Ag) was measured by radial immunodiffusion using monospecific, heterologous anti-factor XI antibodies. Factor XI coagulant activity (F XI:C) was determined in a modified activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test. The ratio of F XI:C to F XI:Ag was 0.04 for the proposita, as compared with 0.7 to 0.74 in the other family members. In contrast, 12 normal individuals had ratios of F XI:C to F XI:Ag of 1.04 +/- 0.15. F XI esterolytic activity was clearly higher than F XI:C in the proband, but not in her relatives. Immunoblotting studies demonstrated F XI CRM in the patient's plasma. Chromatography on diethylaminoethanol (DEAE)-Sephadex at pH 8.4 led to an almost complete removal of F XI from the plasma. The defective F XI was not bound to a negatively charged kaolin surface due to an abnormal interaction with high-mol-wt kininogen (HMWK).     

Evidence for a New Plasma Thromboplastin Factor I. Case Report, Coagulation Studies and Physicochemical Properties

Studies of defective plasma thromboplastin formation in four siblings indicated a defect which was different from any of the known coagulation factordeficiency states. Although none of the children had any history of hemorrhagictendencies, a prolonged whole blood clotting time in an 11-year-old girl ledto the findings of a markedly prolonged partial thromboplastin time (PTT),abnormal thromboplastin generation test (TGT), and a normal prothrombintime in the patient and in three of her ten siblings. The abnormal PTT andTGT were corrected by aluminum hydroxide adsorbed fresh plasma and byserum. Using the kaolin-PTT system, equal mixtures of plasma from the patients and normal plasma produced a normal time. In addition, plasmas deficient in plasma thromboplastin antecedent (PTA), Hageman factor (HF),antihemophilic factor (AHF), or plasma thromboplastin component (PTC)corrected the abnormality.

Physical and chemical properties of plasma correcting the defect in vitroindicated that the defect is closely related to that found in PTA and HF deficient plasma.

Submitted on December 18, 1965 Accepted on March 3, 1965     

A new case of high-molecular-weight kininogen inherited deficiency

A preoperative hemostasis study discovered a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time in a 23-year-old Portuguese Caucasian woman without personal or past family history of hemorrhage or thrombosis. This was corrected by pooled plasma that excluded circulating anticoagulant. Activated partial thromboplastin time was prolonged whatever the activator, particularly ellagic acid, and was not corrected by prolonged kaolin incubation. Levels of factors VIII and XII were normal; factor XI and prekallikrein levels were either moderately low or normal according to activators and defective reagents used. High-molecular-weight kininogen (HMWK) level assessed by coagulation and immunological method was virtually nil. Fibrinolysis activity was normal before and after venous occlusion. The programmed operation was performed without any particular preparation and no complication arose. Family investigation found heterozygous HMWK deficiency in the proposita's father and three of her siblings.     

A hitherto undescribed plasma factor acting at the contact phase of blood coagulation (Flaujeac factor): case report and coagulation studies.

This paper reports an asymptomatic coagulation defect responsible for an abnormality at the contact phase of blood coagulation in vitro, distinct from Hageman factor and Fletcher factor deficiencies. Coagulation studies in a 50-yr-old French woman without bleeding tendency revealed the following results: whole-blood clotting time in glass tubes and activated partial thromboplastin time with kaolin and ellagic acid were greatly prolonged; one-stage prothrombin was normal; no circulating anticoagulant was detected, and the infusion of normal plasma corrected the coagulation defect with an estimated half-life of 6.5 days; the levels of factor VIII, IX, XI, and XII were normal; mutual correction was obtained with a Fletcher factor-deficient plasma; the level of whole complement was normal. Studies of the contact phase of blood coagulation and contact-induced fibrinolysis showed the same abnormalities as in Hageman factor- and Fletcher-deficient plasmas. These results indicate that the patient's plasma is deficient in a previously undescribed coagulation factor, which participates in the initial stage of the blood coagulation process in vitro. Family studies revealed consanguinity in the propositus' parents. The assay of this newly described factor in the propositus' children revealed a partial defect, compatible with a heterozygous state, in three of the four tested children. This indicates a recessive inheritance of this new blood coagulation defect.     

Fletcher Factor Deficiency: A Report of Three Unrelated Cases

S ummary . The authors report three unrelated patients who apparently have a severe deficiency of the 'Fletcher factor'. None had a haemorrhagic tendency, and all had normal bleeding times, prothrombin times and thrombin times. All three showed defective intrinsic thromboplastin production, as evidenced by much prolonged kaolin activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT). None had deficiencies of factors VIII, IX, XI or XII. The prolonged PTT of each failed to shorten when his plasma was mixed with proven Fletcher deficient plasma. The plasma of one was assayed with plasma from a reference case of Fletcher deficiency and found to contain less than 1% of the normal activity. The prolonged PTT of each came down into or near the normal range on longer kaolin activation.     

Management of factor XI inhibitor for cardiac intervention: successful treatment with immunosuppressive therapy and plasma exchange

Two cases with congenital homozygous factor XI deficiency developed a factor XI inhibitor following repeated plasma transfusions. Case 1 was given cyclophosphamide, intravenous immunoglobulin, and steroids. The factor XI inhibitor disappeared on day 103 and cardiac catheterization was performed without complications after giving fresh frozen plasma. Case 2 was effectively managed by plasma exchange for cardiac catheterization and surgery. However, after five plasma exchange procedures, the same plasma volume exchange was not effective in shortening the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). A significant heparin rebound occurred 4 h after heparin neutralization with protamine sulphate for which the patient needed to have a blood clot evacuated from around the heart.     

A case of factor V inhibitor

A 57-year-old married Chinese male without a family history of bleeding disorder was presented with severe hemorrhagic tendency and was subsequently found to be suffering from an acquired inhibitor against coagulation factor V. The prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time could not be corrected by the addition of normal plasma. Subnormal value of factor V level was noted accompanied with an abnormal platelet factor III availability test. With specific antisera and staphylococcal protein A, the inhibitor was characterized as an IgG(lambda) antibody. The hemorrhagic tendency and abnormal laboratory data were corrected after treating the patient with platelet concentrate transfusion and cyclophosphamide.     

The clot accelerating effect of dilution on blood and plasma. Relation to the mechanism of coagulation of normal and hemophilic blood

Dilution with physiologic saline solution and other fluids accelerates thecoagulation of properly collected normal and hemophilic blood and plasma insilicone coated vessels, with or without the aid of activating agents such asplatelets, thromboplastin, cephalin, glass particles or plasma euglobulin fractions.When normal plasma is diluted under a concentration of about 20 per cent, itsrate of clotting is prolonged, principally because of diminution in prothrombin.

Regardless of the activating agent used, the rate of coagulation of hemophilicplasma can be made equal to that of normal plasma by appropriate dilution.These findings speak against the existence in hemophilic blood or plasma of adeficiency in any procoagulant factor, and support the concept of the presencein excess of a stabilizing inhibitor which slows the conversion of prothrombin tothrombin by one or both of the following mechanisms: (1) reducing or inactivatingthe effect of released coagulants (antithromboplastin activity) (2) conjugationwith a procoagulant thereby maintaining it in an inactive form (anti Ac-globulinactivity).

Submitted on October 5, 1950 Accepted on December 26, 1950