Unexpected presentation of type 2N von Willebrand disease in pregnancy.

The finding of low factor VIII levels in pregnancy immediately raises concern of haemophilia A carriage, especially with a history of bleeding in the maternal grandfather. However, the diagnosis of type 2N von Willebrand disease (2N vWD) should also be considered as illustrated here. This is also the first reported case of the management of 2N vWD in pregnancy.     

Type 2N von Willebrand disease

Type 2N von Willebrand disease (VWD) refers to patients with a factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency caused by a markedly decreased affinity of von Willebrand factor (VWF) for FVIII. It is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait but is clinically similar to mild hemophilia. The differential biologic diagnosis, which is of major importance for providing relevant genetic counseling and optimal treatment, is based on the measurement of plasma VWF capacity to bind FVIII. Molecular biology techniques have allowed the identification of 20 missense mutations in the VWF gene that cause type 2N VWD. All of them induce changes in amino acid residues located in the N-terminal part of mature VWF, which contains the FVIII binding site. Their identification may provide a genetic diagnosis. Theoretically, patients with type 2N VWD should be treated with products containing VWF that is able to stabilize their endogenous normal FVIII.     

Expression of two type 2N von Willebrand disease mutations identified in exon 18 of von Willebrand factor gene

Type 2N von Willebrand disease (VWD) is characterized by a markedly decreased affinity of von Willebrand factor (VWF) for factor VIII (FVIII). The FVIII binding site has been localized within the first 272 amino acid residues of mature VWF, encoded by exons 18-23. Two substitutions in exon 18 of VWF gene, inducing candidate mutations Y795C and C804F were identified in the heterozygous state in two French patients who also displayed the frequent R854Q mutation in exon 20. Expression studies in Cos-7 cells showed that these abnormalities, which implicate cysteine residues, induced secretion, multimerization and FVIII binding defects of corresponding recombinant VWF. Results from transfection experiments with R854Q, performed to reproduce the hybrid VWF present in patient plasma, were in agreement with those obtained for patient's plasma VWF. These findings confirm the importance of the VWF D' domain in FVIII binding. In addition, this work shows that exon 18 should preferentially be sequenced in type 2N VWD patients when the frequent R854Q mutation in exon 20 has been excluded or detected in the heterozygous state.     

Evaluation of an automated screening assay for von Willebrand disease type 2N

Evaluating the factor VIII (FVIII) binding activity of von Willebrand factor (VWF) is an important step in the diagnostic work-up of families affected by apparent mild haemophilia A. In von Willebrand's disease (VWD) type 2N (Normandy), mutations at the N-terminal end of the mature VWF subunit gene prevent the binding of FVIII. Individuals heterozygous for type 2N VWD are generally asymptomatic. Homozygotes and compound heterozygotes present with a clinical picture which mimics haemophilia A, with a markedly reduced FVIII : C activity and VWF within the normal range, but instead of exhibiting X-linked inheritance they show an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. The distinction between haemophilia A and VWD type 2N has important implications for therapy and genetic counselling. We present a highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screening method for the Normandy variant, which measures VWF : FVIII binding activity in parallel with VWF antigen, using monoclonal capture and detection antibodies. The assay is fully automated using a robotic microtitre plate processor, requiring minimal user intervention and providing the capacity to screen large numbers of patients.     

Reduced von Willebrand factor survival in type Vicenza von Willebrand disease.

Type Vicenza variant of von Willebrand disease (VWD) is characterized by a low plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) level and supranormal VWF multimers. Two candidate mutations, G2470A and G3864A at exons 17 and 27, respectively, of the VWF gene were recently reported to be present in this disorder. Four additional families, originating from northeast Italy, with both mutations of type Vicenza VWD are now described. Like the original type Vicenza subjects, they showed a mild bleeding tendency and a significant decrease in plasma VWF antigen level and ristocetin cofactor activity but normal platelet VWF content. Unlike the original patients, ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation was found to be normal. Larger than normal VWF multimers were also demonstrated in the plasma. Desmopressin (DDAVP) administration increased factor VIII (FVIII) and VWF plasma levels, with the appearance of even larger multimers. However, these forms, and all VWF oligomers, disappeared rapidly from the circulation. The half-life of VWF antigen release and of elimination was significantly shorter than that in healthy counterparts, so that at 4 hours after DDAVP administration, VWF antigen levels were close to baseline. Similar behavior was demonstrated by VWF ristocetin cofactor activity and FVIII. According to these findings, it is presumed that the low plasma VWF levels of type Vicenza VWD are mainly attributed to reduced survival of the VWF molecule, which, on the other hand, is normally synthesized. In addition, because normal VWF-platelet GPIb interaction was observed before or after DDAVP administration, it is proposed that type Vicenza VWD not be considered a 2M subtype.     

Type 2N von Willebrand disease: Characterization and diagnostic difficulties

Introduction

An abnormal factor VIII (FVIII) binding capacity of von Willebrand factor (VWF) identifies type 2N von Willebrand disease (VWD). Type 2N VWD patients are identified by means of the VWF FVIII binding (VWF:FVIIIB) assay, and especially their VWF:FVIIIB/VWF:Ag ratio (VWF:FVIIIB ratio).

Aim

We report on our 15‐year experience of diagnosing type 2N VWD.

Methods

We have performed 2178 VWF:FVIIIB assays in bleeders and normal subjects.

Results

von Willebrand factor (VWF):FVIIIB was reduced in 682, but only 60 had low VWF:FVIIIB ratios (<0.74). Among nine patients who had a VWF:FVIIIB ratio below 0.3, four had normal VWF levels and were homozygotes for the p.R854Q mutation; the other five had low VWF levels due to a quantitative VWF mutation combined with p.R854Q. The VWF:FVIIIB ratio ranged between 0.3 and 0.73 in 51 subjects; 34 of them were heterozygotes for the p.R854Q mutation, while one carried the p.R760C. The heterozygotes for type 2N included subjects with or without bleeding symptoms, the former with significantly lower mean VWF levels than the latter. Among the 116 normal subjects tested, six were heterozygotes for the p.R854Q mutation (all asymptomatic).

Conclusions

The prevalence of type 2N in our VWD cohort was 2.5%, and 5.2% of the general population in Northeast Italy was found heterozygous for the p.R854Q mutation. It might be difficult to reveal a type 2N defect using routine tests alone, especially when it is combined with a quantitative VWF mutation. Accordingly, we always recommend VWF:FVIIIB assay in the diagnostic workup of VWD.     

Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in type 2A von Willebrand disease: resolution.

A patient with type 2A von Willebrand disease and a long history of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is presented, in whom no abnormality was found on sequencing the von Willebrand factor gene at the DNA level. Subsequent RNA analysis revealed him to be heterozygous for a T-C substitution at nucleotide 4,883, a mutation previously described and associated with type 2A von Willebrand disease. This illustrates the value of a dual DNA/ RNA approach to genetic investigations of highly polymorphic genes. GI bleeding from angiodysplasia is a feature of von Willebrand disease, particularly type 2A. Proactive management with definitive diagnosis of angiodysplasia and ablative treatment where feasible is recommended to stop bleeding symptoms and minimize exposure to blood products.     

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.     

Homozygous and heterozygous deletions of the von Willebrand factor gene in patients and carriers of severe von Willebrand disease.

Severe von Willebrand disease is characterized by undetectable or trace quantities of von Willebrand factor in plasma and tissue stores. We have studied the genomic DNA of 10 affected individuals from six families with this disorder using probes from the 5' and 3' ends of the vWF cDNA and with a probe extending from the 5' end into the central region. Southern blots of restriction endonuclease digests and gene dosage analysis measurements carried out with quantitative slot blots of undigested genomic DNA separated these patients into three groups. The first group consisted of a family with complete homozygous deletions of the vWF gene in the four probands. Gene dosage analysis was consistent with heterozygous deletions in both of the asymptomatic parents and four asymptomatic siblings of this kindred (P less than 0.01). The second group was comprised of a family in which there was a complete heterozygous deletion of the vWF gene in the proband and one asymptomatic parent, suggesting that a different type of genetic abnormality was inherited from the other parent. Thus, the patient appeared to be doubly heterozygous for interacting genetic abnormalities affecting vWF expression. In the third group, no gene deletions could be detected. Alloantibodies developed only in the kindred with homozygous deletions. These techniques should prove useful in identifying carriers of severe von Willebrand disease and also in defining patients predictably at risk of developing alloantibodies to vWF.     

A Reliable von Willebrand factor: ristocetin cofactor enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 von Willebrand disease

von Willebrand disease (vWD) is the most common hereditary bleeding disorder due to either a qualitative or a quantitative defect in von Willebrand factor (vWF). vWF is a multimeric plasma protein that plays an important role in (1) primary hemostasis, by sustaining indirect platelet adhesion especially at high shear rates, and in (2) secondary hemostasis, by protecting factor VIIIc (FVIIIc) from degradation. A correct diagnosis of vWD is based on the accurate identification of one of the six different subtypes (type 1, 2A, 2B, 2M, 2N, 3). To do this, different laboratory tests are available. One aspect of the identification is the discrimination between type 1 and type 2 (2A, 2B, and 2M) vWD. In type 1 vWD, both vWF levels (vWF:Ag) and vWF activity (vWF:RCof) are decreased; in type 2, the vWF:Ag level is normal or decreased and vWF:RCof is decreased. Thus, ratios of vWF:Ag to vWF:RiCof above 1 allow identifation of type 2 vWD patients. The currently used vWF:RCof test is an agglutination test in which patients' plasma is added to washed fixed control platelets in the presence of ristocetin and the extent of agglutination is measured. This test suffers from high interlaboratory and intralaboratory variability. We have recently shown that the same vWF:RCof can also be measured in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a low interassay and intraassay variability and can be used to identify patients suffering from vWD. We here show that our test allows the discrimination between type 1 and type 2 vWD patients.     

Pharmacokinetics of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII coagulant activity in patients with von Willebrand disease type 3 and type 2

Nine patients with von Willebrand disease type 3, six with type 2B, one with type 2A, and one patient with type 1/2N were infused with one dose of ≈50 or 100 IU ristocetin cofactor activity (RCoF) per kg body weight of von Willebrand factor (vWF) (Human), a product with a very low content of factor VIII (FVIII). Blood samples were collected over 96 h. The data for RCoF and vWF antigen (vWF:Ag) were fitted to a 1-compartment model decay. The data for FVIII:C were fitted to a model with a linear time 'synthesis' term and a 1-compartment decay. Results in von Willebrand disease type 3 patients (nine patients; 10 infusions) indicated a volume of distribution of 39.9 and 39.8 mL kg⁻¹ for RCoF and vWF:Ag, respectively. The FVIII:C rate of synthesis was 6.4 U dL⁻¹ h⁻¹ (range: 4.4–8.8). The decay rates for FVIII:C, RCoF, and vWF:Ag were 0.041 (h⁻¹) [ t _1/2: 16.9 h]; 0.061 (h⁻¹) [ t _1/2: 11.3 h] and 0.006 (h⁻¹) [ t _1/2: 12.4 h], respectively. In patients with von Willebrand disease type 2 ( n  = 8) the RCoF mean volume of distribution was 46 mL kg⁻¹. The factor VIIIC mean rate of synthesis was 5.5 U dL⁻¹h⁻¹ and the decay rate 0.043 (h⁻¹) [ t _1/2: 16.1 h]. The rate of decay for RCoF and vWF:Ag were 0.050 (h⁻¹) [ t _1/2: 13.9 h] and 0.044 (h⁻¹) [ t _1/2: 15.7 h], respectively.