Impact of the factor II: G20210A variant on the risk of venous thromboembolism in relatives from families with the factor V: R506Q mutation

OBJECTIVES: Factor V: R506Q mutation and the prothrombin G20210A variant (factor II: G20210A variant) are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In cohorts of unrelated patients a cosegregation of both mutations has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of developing VTE. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the coinheritance of both mutations on the risk of VTE in relatives of symptomatic carriers of the factor V: R506Q mutation and the factor II: G20210A variant. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four families with 48 family members were investigated for the presence of the factor V: R506Q mutation and the factor II: G20210A mutation, and their clinical history was evaluated. RESULTS: VTE was more frequent in family members with a combined defect (3/10; 30%) compared to those with a single mutation (1/16; 6%) or without a defect (1/12; 8%). The probability for VTE for 40-yr-old individuals with both mutations, a single mutation and no mutation was 56%, 12% and 20%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the G to A transition at position 20210 of the prothrombin gene leads to an increase in the risk of VTE in carriers of the factor V: R506Q mutation. The determination of the factor II: G20210A variant in index patients carrying a factor V: R506Q mutation and, if present, in family members may help to identify individuals who are at high risk for VTE.     

Spontaneous thrombosis in mice carrying the factor V Leiden mutation

A polymorphism in coagulation factor V, factor V Leiden (FVL), is the major known genetic risk factor for thrombosis in humans. Approximately 10% of mutation carriers experience clinically significant thrombosis in their lifetime. In a small subset of patients, thrombosis is associated with coinheritance of other prothrombotic gene mutations. However, the potential contribution of additional genetic risk factors in the majority of patients remains unknown. To gain insight into the molecular basis for the variable expressivity of FVL, mice were generated carrying the homologous mutation (R504Q [single-letter amino acid codes]) inserted into the endogenous murine Fv gene. Adult heterozygous (FvQ/+) and homozygous (FvQ/Q) mice are viable and fertile and exhibit normal survival. Compared with wild-type mice, adult FvQ/Q mice demonstrate a marked increase in spontaneous tissue fibrin deposition. No differences in fetal development or survival are observed among FvQ/Q, FvQ/+ or control littermates on the C57BL/6J genetic background. In contrast, on a mixed 129Sv-C57BL/6J genetic background, FvQ/Q mice develop disseminated intravascular thrombosis in the perinatal period, resulting in significant mortality shortly after birth. These results may explain the high degree of conservation of the R504/R506 activated protein C cleavage site within FV among mammalian species and suggest an important contribution of other genetic factors to the thrombosis associated with FVL in humans. (Blood. 2000;96:4222-4226)     

The molecular basis of hemophilia A: genotype-phenotype relationships and inhibitor development

The molecular basis of hemophilia A has been extensively studied over the last two decades, and this analysis of the factor VIII (FVIII) gene has rendered it one of the most studied of all human genes. A wide range of different mutation types has been identified that includes the novel intrachromosomal inversions involving regions in introns 1 and 22 of the FVIII gene as well as many mutation types found in other genetic diseases, including large and small deletions and insertions, and point mutations resulting in nonsense, missense, and splice site mutations. Inhibitory antibodies that develop in a proportion of patients with hemophilia A following replacement therapy are now known to correlate with FVIII mutation type and location. This correlation is demonstrated, and a potential algorithm for predicting inhibitor development in newly diagnosed patients is presented. Many patients with mild hemophilia A have a discrepancy between the levels of FVIII:C determined by the one-stage and two-stage assays. The molecular basis of the discrepancy is explored. This article thus highlights both the molecular basis of hemophilia and some of the additional information that can be gained from determination of the mutation responsible for hemophilia in affected patients.     

The factor VR506Q mutation causing APC resistance is highly prevalent amongst unselected outpatients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis

Objective. Resistance to activated protein C (APC resistance), caused by a single point mutation in the factor V gene (FV:R506Q), is a major risk factor for venous thrombosis. As the significance of this mutation among unselected outpatients with deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is not established, we have studied its prevalence among consecutive outpatients attending the emergency room due to a clinically suspected DVT.
Design, setting and subjects. The FV:R506Q mutation was determined in 223 consecutive Swedish outpatients with clinically suspected DVT, and in 288 healthy controls. Using phlebography, the patients were classified as DVT-positive or DVT-negative.
Main outcome measure. The prevalence of FV:R506Q mutation.
Results. The prevalence of the FV:R506Q mutation was 28% (28/99) in the DVT-positive subgroup (relative risk: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.7–5.5), and 23% (28/124) in the DVT negative subgroup (relative risk: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.6), as compared to 11% (32/288) in the control group. In the DVT-positive subgroup, the FV:R506Q mutation was most common among younger patients with primary thrombosis (47%) and least common among older patients with secondary thrombosis (19%). The high prevalence of FV:R506Q mutation among DVT-negative patients was associated with a high frequency of previous venous thrombosis. Thus, 46% (13/28) of the DVT-negative FV:R506Q carriers had a history of thrombosis, compared with only 22% (21/96) of the DVT-negative patients lacking the mutation ( P =0.01).
Conclusion. To sum up, the FV:R506Q mutation is present in more than a quarter of Swedish DVT-positive outpatients with clinically suspected DVT, indicating that APC-resistance is a major thrombotic risk factor contributing to the high incidence of venous thrombosis in Sweden.     

Activated protein C resistance and thrombosis: molecular mechanisms of hypercoagulable state due to FVR506Q mutation.

Inherited resistance to activated protein C (APC) is the most common genetic risk factor of venous thrombosis. It is caused by a single point mutation in the factor (F)V gene which predicts replacement of Arg506 with a Gln (FVR506Q, FV: Q506 or FV Leiden). This mutation affects the function of the protein C system, a physiologically important natural anticoagulant pathway. APC inhibits coagulation by cleaving a limited number of peptide bonds in both intact and activated forms of factor V (FV/FVa) and factor VIII (FVIII/FVIIIa). Degradation of FVa by APC is stimulated by protein S, whereas inactivation of FVIIIa requires the synergistic cofactor function of protein S and FV proteolytically modified by APC. Thus, FV has the potential to express opposing functions, as a procoagulant after cleavage by thrombin or FXa and as an anticoagulant after cleavage by APC. The FVR506Q mutation not only confers partial resistance of FVa to APC but also impairs the degradation of FVIIIa because APC-mediated cleavage of FV at Arg506 is required for expression of the anticoagulant activity of FV. The impaired degradation of both FVIIIa and FVa yield a hypercoagulable state conferring a lifelong increased risk of thrombosis. The FV mutation is common in Caucasians, whereas it is rarely found among other groups worldwide. In patients with severe thrombophilia having other inherited defects such as deficiencies of protein S, protein C, or antithrombin, APC resistance is often found as a contributing genetic risk factor. Individuals with combined genetic defects have a high risk of thrombosis, and it is now generally accepted that thrombophilia is a multigenetic disease.     

The activated protein C (APC)-resistant phenotype of APC cleavage site mutants of recombinant factor V in a reconstituted plasma model.

Recently, new missense mutations in the activated protein C (APC) cleavage sites of human factor V (FV) distinct from the R506Q (FV Leiden) mutation have been reported. These mutations affect the APC cleavage site at arginine (Arg) 306 in the heavy chain of activated FV. Whether these mutations result in APC resistance and are associated with a risk of thrombosis is not clear. The main objective of the present study was to identify the APC-resistant phenotype of FV molecules with different mutations in APC cleavage sites. To study this, recombinant FV mutants were reconstituted in FV-deficient plasma, after which normalized APC-sensitivity ratios (n-APC-SRs) were measured in activated partial thromboplastin time-based and Russell's Viper Venom time-based APC-resistance tests. The mutations introduced in FV were R306G, R306T, R506Q, R679A and combinations of these mutations. Based on the APC-sensitivity ratios, we conclude that the naturally occurring mutations at Arg306 (i.e. FV HongKong and FV Cambridge) result in a mildly reduced sensitivity for APC (n-APC-SR, 0.74-0.87), whereas much lower values (n-APC-SR, 0.41-0.51) are obtained for the mutation at Arg506 (FV Leiden). No effect on the n-APC-SR was observed for the recombinant FV mutant containing the single Ala679 mutation. Because reduced sensitivity for APC, not due to FV Leiden, is a risk factor for venous thrombosis, these data suggest that mutations at Arg306 might be associated with a mild risk of venous thrombosis.     

Coinheritance of Factor V (FV) Leiden enhances thrombin formation and is associated with a mild bleeding phenotype in patients homozygous for the FVII 9726+5G>A (FVII Lazio) mutation

We investigated the role of thrombophilic mutations as possible modifiers of the clinical phenotype in severe factor VII (FVII) deficiency. Among 7 patients homozygous for a cross-reacting material-negative (CRM-) FVII defect (9726+5G>A, FVII Lazio), the only asymptomatic individual carried FV Leiden. Differential modulation of FVII levels by intragenic polymorphisms was excluded by a FVII to factor X (FX) gene haplotype analysis. The coagulation efficiency in the FV Leiden carrier and a noncarrier was evaluated by measuring FXa, FVa, and thrombin generation after extrinsic activation of plasma in the absence and presence of activated protein C (APC). In both patients coagulation factor activation was much slower and resulted in significantly lower amounts of FXa and thrombin than in a normal control. However, more FXa and thrombin were formed in the plasma of the patient carrying FV Leiden than in the noncarrier, especially in the presence of APC. These results were confirmed in FV-FVII doubly deficient plasma reconstituted with purified normal FV or FV Leiden. The difference in thrombin generation between plasmas reconstituted with normal FV or FV Leiden gradually decreased at increasing FVII concentration. We conclude that coinheritance of FV Leiden increases thrombin formation and can improve the clinical phenotype in patients with severe FVII deficiency.     

A highly polymorphic microsatellite in the factor V gene is an informative tool for the study of factor V-related disorders

The role of factor V (FV) mutations in activated protein C (APC) resistance and FV deficiency is well established. We report on the identification of a highly polymorphic (AT)n microsatellite marker in the FV gene, which represents an informative tool for the investigation of the origin and evolution of pathologically relevant FV genetic components. A high number of different microsatellite alleles were found to be associated with FV R506Q and FV H1299R, two single-origin mutations. An example of the use of the microsatellite marker in family studies of thrombophilia and FV deficiency is also provided.     

Similarity in joint and mucous bleeding syndromes in type 2N von Willebrand disease and severe hemophilia A coexisting with type 1 von Willebrand disease in two Chinese pedigrees

In this study, we investigated the molecular basis of two unrelated Chinese patients with hemostatic disorders. The proband of the first family had severe hemophilia A (HA) coexisting with type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) and the proband of the second family had type 2N VWD. Both probands had similar phenotypes, which included joint and mucosal bleeding, very low factor VIII (FVIII) activity (FVIII:C), and moderate reductions in VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) and VWF ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:Rco), as well as a normal multimeric pattern. One FVIII mutation and three VWF mutations were identified: FVIII p.R446* and VWF heterozygous p.E216K mutations were detected in proband 1 and compound heterozygosity of VWF mutations (p.R816W and c.1911delC) in proband 2. Transient expression studies in HEK293T cells proved that R816W mutation abolished the binding of FVIII to VWF and slightly impaired protein synthesis and secretion; 1911delC mutation mainly impaired VWF protein synthesis and secretion. These results provided insight into the possible pathogenic mechanism of type 2N VWD in Chinese patients carrying these mutations.     

Factor 8 (F8) gene mutation profile of Turkish hemophilia A patients with inhibitors.

Factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy is ineffective in hemophilia A patients who develop alloantibodies (inhibitors) against FVIII. The type of factor 8 (F8) gene mutation, genes in the major histocompatibility complex loci, and also polymorphisms in IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are the major predisposing factors for inhibitor formation. The present study was initiated to reveal the F8 gene mutation profile of 30 severely affected high-responder patients with inhibitor levels of more than 5 Bethesda U (BU)/ml and four low-responder patients with inhibitors less than 5 BU/ml. Southern blot and PCR analysis were performed to detect intron 22 and intron 1 inversions, respectively. Point mutations were screened by DNA sequence analysis of all coding regions, intron/exon boundaries, promoter and 3' UTR regions of the F8 gene. The prevalent mutation was the intron 22 inversion among the high-responder patients followed by large deletions, small deletions, and nonsense mutations. Only one missense and one splicing error mutation was seen. Among the low-responder patients, three single nucleotide deletions and one intron 22 inversion were found. All mutation types detected were in agreement with the severe hemophilia A phenotype, most likely leading to a deficiency of and predisposition to the development of alloantibodies against FVIII. It is seen that Turkish hemophilia A patients with major molecular defects have a higher possibility of developing inhibitors.     

Mutations in the MCFD2 gene are predominant among patients with hereditary combined FV and FVIII deficiency (F5F8D) in India

Combined FV and FVIII deficiency (F5F8D) is a rare (1:1.000.000) autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in the LMAN1 or MCFD2 genes, encoding for a FV and FVIII cargo receptor complex. We report the phenotype and genotype analyses in nine unrelated Indian patients with low FV and FVIII coagulant activity [FV:C, range: 5.6-22.4% and FVIII:C, range: 8.3-27.1%]. Four homozygous mutations, including two frame shift, one missense and one splice site, were identified in all the nine patients. Three of them, a 72-bp deletion in LMAN1 (c.813_822 + 62del72, p.K272fs), a 35-bp deletion in MCFD2 (c.210_244del35) and a missence mutation in MCFD2 (p.D122V), identified in four patients, were novel mutations. A previously reported c.149 + 5G > A transition in MCFD2 was identified in the remaining five patients. Haplotype analysis of MCFD2 gene in patients with p.E71fs and c.149 + 5G > A defects suggested an independent origin of both these mutations. The identification of two common mutations (p.E71fs, c.149 + 5G > A) in MCFD2 gene in seven of nine patients, particularly the c.149 + 5G > A (55,6% of patients), suggests that this gene could be the first to be analysed during the genetic diagnosis of F5F8D in this population. This is the first report describing the molecular analysis of a consistent number of F5F8D patients of South Indian origin, a population with a high frequency of such recessive bleeding disorders.     

Thirteen novel mutations in the factor VIII gene in the Nijmegen haemophilia A patient population

The development of neutralising antibodies to factor VIII (FVIII) is a major complication of haemophilia A (HA) therapy. We aimed to construct an individual risk profile for the development of inhibitors in HA and started by screening for the causative mutation in our HA patient population. A total of 109 patients and 28 carriers were screened. The analysis revealed 38 different mutations in the FVIII gene, of which 13 have not been described on the Haemophilia A Mutation, Search, Test and Resource Site (HAMSTeRS). Twenty-five mutations have been reported previously and all except two had a similar phenotype to what has been described. Three novel mutations were associated with severe HA: one non-missense mutation, a small insertion in the A2 domain, and two missense mutations, a H256R mutation in the A1 domain and a L2025P substitution in the C1 domain. One novel mutation, Y156C, was associated with moderate HA. Nine novel mutations caused mild HA. The P130R, D167E and V278M mutations are located in the A1 domain. R439C, Y511H, A544G and Q645H in the A2 domain, L1758F in the A3 domain and a S2157R mutation in the C1 domain. In conclusion, the genotypic profile of our HA population was not different from others described and is suitable to study inhibitor formation.     

Genotypic and phenotypic features of Japanese patients with mild to moderate hemophilia A

Hemophilia A is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. To better understand the genotypic and phenotypic features of Japanese patients with mild to moderate hemophilia A, we studied 29 unrelated patients with more than 1 % FVIII activity (FVIII:C). Differences were observed in nine of 21 patients in measured FVIII:C levels between the one-stage clotting and chromogenic assays. We identified a mutation in F8 in 28 of the 29 patients. Mutations in two amino acids, Y492 and R550, were detected at a much higher frequency in our patients than in the international hemophilia A mutation database. We demonstrated that all five patients with the Y492C mutation have an identical F8 haplotype that is unique to them, suggesting that the mutation may have originated from a common ancestor. Because non-severe, moderate to mild, hemophilia patients have a longer lifespan, mutations that cause non-severe phenotypes tend to persist in the population. We believe that the Y492C mutation is a distinctive feature of Japanese patients with mild hemophilia A. The identification of a high frequency of R550 mutation that underlies the discrepancies in FVIII:C measurements in the present study suggests that Japanese patients with mild hemophilia may require careful characterization.     

Cleavage of factor V at Arg 506 by activated protein C and the expression of anticoagulant activity of factor V

Activated protein C (APC) inhibits coagulation by cleaving and inactivating procoagulant factor Va (FVa) and factor VIIIa (FVIIIa). FV, in addition to being the precursor of FVa, has anticoagulant properties; functioning in synergy with protein S as a cofactor of APC in the inhibition of the FVIIIa-factor IXa (FIXa) complex. FV:Q506 isolated from an individual homozygous for APC-resistance is less efficient as an APC-cofactor than normal FV (FV:R506). To investigate the importance of the three APC cleavage sites in FV (Arg-306, Arg-506, and Arg-679) for expression of its APC-cofactor activity, four recombinant FV mutants (FV:Q306, FV:Q306/Q506, FV:Q506, and FV:Q679) were tested. FV mutants with Gln (Q) at position 506 instead of Arg (R) were found to be poor APC-cofactors, whereas Arg to Gln mutations at positions 306 or 679 had no negative effect on the APC-cofactor activity of FV. The loss of APC-cofactor activity as a result of the Arg-506 to Gln mutation suggested that APC-cleavage at Arg-506 in FV is important for the ability of FV to function as an APC-cofactor. Using Western blotting, it was shown that both wild-type FV and mutant FV was cleaved by APC during the FVIIIa inhibition. At optimum concentrations of wild-type FV (11 nmol/L) and protein S (100 nmol/L), FVIIIa was found to be highly sensitive to APC with maximum inhibition occurring at less than 1 nmol/L APC. FV:Q506 was inactive as an APC-cofactor at APC-concentrations 相似文献   

The defective interaction between von Willebrand factor and factor VIII in a patient with type 1 von Willebrand disease is caused by substitution of Arg19 and His54 in mature von Willebrand factor

In this report we describe the further investigation of the von Willebrand factor (vWF)/FVIII interaction in a type 1 von Willebrand disease patient characterized by discrepant VIII:C levels as determined by one-stage and two-stage VIII:C assays. A solid-phase binding assay shows that this patient's plasma vWF is moderately defective in capturing recombinant FVIII. Sequence analysis of the FVIII-binding domain encoded by the vWF mRNA of the affected individual identified mutations in both vWF alleles. In allele A, the mutations C2344T and T2451A result in the substitution of Trp for Arg19 (R19W) and of G1n for His54 (H54Q) in mature vWF, respectively. This allele also contains a reported polymorphism (A2365G, Thr26Ala). Allele B, which is underexpressed at the RNA level, contains a one-nucleotide deletion in the FVIII-binding domain (delta G2515) that results in the premature termination of translation. Analysis of the binding of FVIII by full- length vWF transiently expressed in COS-7 cells confirms that the combined R19W and H54Q substitutions are the cause of the defective vWF/FVIII interaction in this patient. The FVIII-binding defect of vWF containing either mutation alone is approximately half that of the double mutant, which suggests that the effect of these mutations is additive. The mutant proteins are recognized equally well by vWF monoclonal antibodies MBC105.4, 32B12, and 31H3, which block the binding of FVIII by vWF, indicating that amino acids Arg19, Thr26, and His54 are not critical residues in the epitopes of these antibodies.     

Combinations of 4 mutations (FV R506Q, FV H1299R, FV Y1702C, PT 20210G/A) affecting the prothrombinase complex in a thrombophilic family

The study of the molecular bases of thrombophilia in a large family with 4 symptomatic members is reported. Three thrombophilic genetic components (FV R506Q, FV H1299R, and PT 20210G/A), all affecting the activity of the prothrombinase complex, were detected alone and in combination in various family members. In addition, a newly identified missense mutation (factor V [FV] Y1702C), causing FV deficiency, was also present in the family and appeared to enhance activated protein C (APC) resistance in carriers of FV R506Q or FV H1299R by abolishing the expression of the counterpart FV allele. The relationships between complex genotypes, coagulation laboratory findings, and clinical phenotypes were analyzed in the family. All symptomatic family members were carriers of combined defects and showed APC resistance and elevated F1 + 2 values. Evidence for the causative role of the FV Y1702C mutation, which affects a residue absolutely conserved in all 3 A domains of FV, factor VIII, and ceruloplasmin, relies on (1) the absolute cosegregation between the mutation and FV deficiency, both in the family and in the general population; (2) FV antigen and immunoblot studies indicating the absence of Y1702C FV molecules in plasma of carriers of the mutation, despite normal levels of the FV Y1702C messenger RNA; and (3) molecular modeling data that support a crucial role of the mutated residue in the A domain structure. These findings help to interpret the variable penetrance of thrombosis in thrombophilic families and to define the molecular bases of FV deficiency. (Blood. 2000;96:1443-1448)     

Co-segregation of thrombosis with the factor V Q506 mutation in an extended family with resistance to activated protein C

The activated protein C (APC) resistance phenotype results from a mutation at one of the cleavage sites of factor V by APC (Q506). We describe a large family with an APC resistance phenotype and without any other detectable coagulation defect, including eight subjects who had developed deep venous thrombosis (mean age of the first thrombosis episode 29 years; range 17-55 years). The factor V Q506 mutation was detected in the seven patients with thrombosis who could be tested and in 13 asymptomatic subjects (mean age 17 years; range 5-33 years). The APC resistance was detectable in only 10 heterozygotes among the 19 tested. These data suggest that, in affected families, the risk for the factor V Q506 mutation carriers to develop thrombosis may be very high and that factor V genotyping must be performed in patients with thrombosis even without any detectable APC resistance phenotype.     

Thrombophilia as a multigenic disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Venous thrombosis is a common disease annually affecting 1 in 1000 individuals. The multifactorial nature of the disease is illustrated by the frequent identification of one or more predisposing genetic and/or environmental risk factors in thrombosis patients. Most of the genetic defects known today affect the function of the natural anticoagulant pathways and in particular the protein C system. This presentation focuses on the importance of the genetic factors in the pathogenesis of inherited thrombophilia with particular emphasis on those defects which affect the protein C system. INFORMATION SOURCES: Published results in articles covered by the Medline database have been integrated with our original studies in the field of thrombophilia. STATE OF THE ART AND PERSPECTIVES: The risk of venous thrombosis is increased when the hemostatic balance between pro- and anti-coagulant forces is shifted in favor of coagulation. When this is caused by an inherited defect, the resulting hypercoagulable state is a lifelong risk factor for thrombosis. Resistance to activated protein C (APC resistance) is the most common inherited hypercoagulable state found to be associated with venous thrombosis. It is caused by a single point mutation in the factor V (FV) gene, which predicts the substitution of Arg506 with a Gln. Arg506 is one of three APC-cleavage sites and the mutation results in the loss of this APC-cleavage site. The mutation is only found in Caucasians but the prevalence of the mutant FV allele (FV:Q506) varies between countries. It is found to be highly prevalent (up to 15%) in Scandinavian populations, in areas with high incidence of thrombosis. FV:Q506 is associated with a 5-10-fold increased risk of thrombosis and is found in 20-60% of Caucasian patients with thrombosis. The second most common inherited risk factor for thrombosis is a point mutation (G20210A) in the 3' untranslated region of the prothrombin gene. This mutation is present in approximately 2% of healthy individuals and in 6-7% of thrombosis patients, suggesting it to be a mild risk factor of thrombosis. Other less common genetic risk factors for thrombosis are the deficiencies of natural anticoagulant proteins such as antithrombin, protein C or protein S. Such defects are present in less than 1% of healthy individuals and together they account for 5-10% of genetic defects found in patients with venous thrombosis. Owing to the high prevalence of inherited APC resistance (FV:Q506) and of the G20210A mutation in the prothrombin gene, combinations of genetic defects are relatively common in the general population. As each genetic defect is an independent risk factor for thrombosis, individuals with multiple defects have a highly increased risk of thrombosis. As a consequence, multiple defects are often found in patients with thrombosis.     

Activated protein c resistance (APC) and inherited factor V (FV) mis-sense mutation in patients with venous and arterial thrombosis in a haematology clinic

Abstract Background: Inherited factor V (FV) mis-sense point mutation has recently been identified as a major cause of familial venous thrombosis. The incidence of this congenital haemostatic disorder in Australia is unknown. Aim: To examine the incidence of this congenital defect in patients with thrombosis attending a haematology clinic. Methods: Individuals investigated or treated for venous and arterial thrombosis over a four month period, as well as those who were on anticoagulant for valvular replacement or arrhythmia were studied for the presence of FV mis-sense point mutation, FV Q506 (G to A at nucleotide position 1691) by a polymerase chain reaction based test, and activated protein C (APC) resistance using an APTT based coagulation assay. Results: Forty-five patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), 20 patients with coronary artery disease and 25 patients with valvular replacement or arrhythmia who were on anticoagulant were examined. The frequency of FV mis-sense point mutation in these three groups was 26.7%, 15% and 4% respectively. In this study, patients with FV Q506 were of a younger age and had a higher incidence of extensive thrombosis or recurrence as compared to those with the normal factor V gene. This mutation was found in a diverse group of people (four of the 12 patients were of non-European origin). Nearly 50% of these patients had other risk factors for VTE. The number of patients with a family history of VTE was similar for those with the FV mutation and the normal FV. Conclusion: This study confirms the high incidence of FV Q506 mutation in patients with VTE reported overseas. Several clinical features, i.e young age of onset of VTE, high recurrence rate, diverse ethnic background and importance of associated risk factors are highlighted. The findings in this study also raise the possibility that this mutation may be a risk factor for arterial thrombosis. Large studies are required to substantiate these findings.     

Use of a generally applicable tissue factor--dependent factor V assay to detect activated protein C-resistant factor Va in patients receiving warfarin and in patients with a lupus anticoagulant

The original activated partial thromboplastin time-based assay for activated protein C (APC)-resistant factor Va (FVa) requires carefully prepared fresh plasma and cannot be used in patients receiving warfarin or in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. A new test is described here that circumvents these limitations and distinguishes without overlap heterozygotes for APC-resistant FVa from persons with normal FV. A diluted test plasma is incubated with an FV-deficient substrate plasma and tissue factor and then clotted with Ca2+ or Ca2+ plus APC. Test results are independent of the FV level or the dilution of the test plasma used. Of 39 controls, 37 gave normal results. Two controls (5%) gave results indicative of APC resistant FVa and on DNA analysis were found to be heterozygous for FV R506Q. Twenty of 21 randomly selected patients receiving warfarin gave normal results. In the single patient with abnormal results, heterozygous FV R506Q was confirmed by DNA analysis. Two of 15 patients with protein S deficiency and 5 of 29 patients with a lupus anticoagulant had abnormal results. APC resistance caused by FV R506Q was confirmed in the five of these seven patients available for DNA analysis. APC-resistant FVa was also detected in 10 of 21 (46%) stored plasma from unrelated patients with venous thrombosis and negative earlier evaluation for a lupus anticoagulant or a deficiency of protein C, protein S, or antithrombin, which confirms a high incidence of this defect among patients with venous thrombosis.