Normal Hemostasis (normal + hemostasi)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The plasma von Willebrand factor O -glycome comprises a surprising variety of structures including ABH antigens and disialosyl motifs

JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 1 2010
K. CANIS
Summary.,Background: von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a key component for maintenance of normal hemostasis. Its glycan moieties, accounting for about 20% of its molecular weight, have been shown to affect many of its properties. Previous studies reported correlations between VWF secretion, half-life and the nature or presence of its N -glycans, and more importantly between VWF plasma level and the type of N -linked ABH antigens. Despite the presence of 10 predicted O -glycosylation sites, the O -glycome remains poorly characterized, impairing the complete elucidation of its influence on VWF functions. So far only a single glycan structure, a disialyl core 1 glycan, has been identified. Objectives: To define an exhaustive profile of the VWF O -glycan structures to help the understanding of their role in VWF regulation and properties. Methods: Plasma-derived VWF O -linked sugars were isolated and analyzed using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry methodologies. Results and conclusions: We provide here a detailed analysis of the human plasma-derived VWF O -glycome. Eighteen O -glycan structures including both core 1 and core 2 structures are now demonstrated to be present on VWF. Amongst the newly determined structures are unusual tetra-sialylated core 1 O -glycans and ABH antigen-containing core 2 O -glycans. In conjunction with current models explaining VWF activity, knowledge of the complete O -glycome will facilitate research aimed at providing a better understanding of the influence of glycosylation on VWF functions. [source]


The molecular basis of factor V and VIII procofactor activation

JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 12 2009
R. M. CAMIRE
Summary., Activation of precursor proteins by specific and limited proteolysis is a hallmark of the hemostatic process. The homologous coagulation factors (F)V and FVIII circulate in an inactive, quiescent state in blood. In this so-called procofactor state, these proteins have little, if any procoagulant activity and do not participate to any significant degree in their respective macromolecular enzymatic complexes. Thrombin is considered a key physiological activator, cleaving select peptide bonds in FV and FVIII which ultimately leads to appropriate structural changes that impart cofactor function. As the active cofactors (FVa and FVIIIa) have an enormous impact on thrombin and FXa generation, maintaining FV and FVIII as inactive procofactors undoubtedly plays an important regulatory role that has likely evolved to maintain normal hemostasis. Over the past three decades there has been widespread interest in studying the proteolytic events that lead to the activation of these proteins. While a great deal has been learned, mechanistic explanations as to how bond cleavage facilitates conversion to the active cofactor species remain incompletely understood. However, recent advances have been made detailing how thrombin recognizes FV and FVIII and also how the FV B-domain plays a dominant role in maintaining the procofactor state. Here we review our current understanding of the molecular process of procofactor activation with a particular emphasis on FV. [source]


Factor XI deficiency in animal models

JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 2009
T. RENNÉ
Summary., The blood coagulation system forms fibrin to limit blood loss from sites of injury, but also contributes to occlusive diseases such as deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke. In the current model of a coagulation balance, normal hemostasis and thrombosis represent two sides of the same coin; however, data from coagulation factor XI-deficient animal models have challenged this dogma. Gene targeting of factor XI, a serine protease of the intrinsic pathway of coagulation, severely impairs arterial thrombus formation but is not associated with excessive bleeding. Mechanistically, factor XI may be activated by factor XII following contact activation or by thrombin in a feedback activation loop. This review focuses on the role of factor XI, and its deficiency states as novel target for prevention of thrombosis with low bleeding risk in animal models. [source]


Expression of human tissue factor under the control of the mouse tissue factor promoter mediates normal hemostasis in knock-in mice

JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 2 2008
L. A. SNYDER
Summary.,Background:,Tissue factor (TF) is expressed widely at the subluminal surface of blood vessels and serves as the primary cellular initiator of the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. Lack of TF in mice resulted in lethality in utero, but human TF (huTF) expressed at low levels from a human minigene rescued null mice from prenatal death. Although these low-TF expressing transgenic mice developed to term, they had a significantly shorter life span and exhibited hemorrhage and fibrosis in the heart. Methods:,Human TF knock-in (TFKI) mice were generated by replacing the first two exons of the mouse (murine) TF (muTF) gene with the huTF complete coding sequence, thus placing it under the control of the endogenous muTF promoter. Results:,Expression of huTF in the TFKI mice was similar to muTF in wild-type (wt) mice. The TFKI mice showed no microscopic evidence of spontaneous hemorrhage in the heart, nor cardiac fibrosis at up to 18 months of age. Immunohistochemistry showed that huTF was expressed in cells surrounding blood vessels in TFKI mice. Coagulation activity of brain homogenates from TFKI mice was comparable with that from wt brain. Cardiac hemorrhage similar to that of the low-TF transgenic mice occurred in the TFKI mice when huTF was blocked by a neutralizing anti-huTF monoclonal antibody. Conclusion:,We generated a transgenic mouse line that expresses huTF under the control of the endogenous muTF promoter at physiological levels. Our results suggest that huTF can fully reconstitute the murine coagulation system and mediate normal hemostasis. [source]


An updated view of hemostasis: mechanisms of hemostatic dysfuntion associated with sepsis

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 2 2005
DACVECC, Kate Hopper BVSc
Abstract Objective: To review the current understanding of mechanisms involved in normal hemostasis and to describe the changes associated with pro-inflammatory disease processes such as sepsis. Data sources: Original research articles and scientific reviews. Human data synthesis: Organ damage caused by sepsis is created in part by the interdependent relationship between hemostasis and inflammation. Markers of coagulation have been found to have prognostic value in human patients with sepsis and there are both experimental and clinical investigations of the therapeutic potential of modulating the hemostatic system in sepsis. Improvement of 28-day all-cause mortality in severe sepsis by treatment with recombinant human activated Protein C strongly supports the interdependence of hemostasis and inflammation in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Veterinary data synthesis: Publications reporting clinical evaluation of the hemostatic changes occurring in septic dogs or cats are minimal. Experimental animal models of sepsis reveal significant similarity between human and animal sepsis and may provide relevance to clinical veterinary medicine until prospective clinical evaluations are published. Conclusions: It is now apparent that inflammation and the coagulation system are intimately connected. Understanding this relationship provides some insight into the pathogenesis of the hemostatic changes associated with sepsis. This new updated view of hemostasis may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation in veterinary medicine. [source]


The genetics of antiplatelet drug resistance

CLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2009
G Feher
Platelets have a central role in the development of arterial thrombosis and subsequent cardiovascular events. An appreciation of this complex process has made antiplatelet therapy the cornerstone of cardiovascular disease management. However, numerous patients will experience a recurrent atherothrombotic vascular event despite adequate antiplatelet therapy. Individual differences in the rate of platelet activation and reactivity markedly influence normal hemostasis and the pathological outcome of thrombosis. Such an individual variability is largely determined by environmental and genetic factors. These are known to either hamper platelets' response to agonists, and thereby mimic the pharmacological modulation of platelet function or mask therapy effect and sensitize platelets. In this article, we reviewed the antiplatelet mechanisms of aspirin and clopidogrel and the possible role of different polymorphisms, which may affect the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy. Heterogeneity in the way patients respond to aspirin and clopidogrel may in part reflect variation in cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, glycoprotein (GP) Ib alpha, GP Ia/IIa, GP IIb/IIIa, UGT1A6*2, P2Y1, P2Y12, CYP2C9, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genotypes. [source]