Arnaud Bonnefoy

Requirements for Membrane Attack Complex Formation and Anaphylatoxins Binding to Collagen-Activated Platelets

Background The activation of complement during platelet activation is incompletely understood. Objectives: We sought to explore the formation of C5b-9 and anaphylatoxins binding to collagen-activated platelets. Methods C5b-9, anaphylatoxins C3a, C4a and C5a, and anaphylatoxin receptors C3aR1 and C5aR were measured by flow cytometry and/or confocal microscopy. Platelet microparticles were quantified by flow cytometry, and their C5b-9 content was determined by western blot analyses. In all experiments, sodium citrate was used for blood anticoagulation. Results C5b-9 rapidly formed on the platelet surface following activation with collagen, TRAP, ADP or A23187, but was surprisingly restricted to a subset of platelets (1 to 15%) independently of P-selectin or phosphatidylserine exposure. Following collagen activation, C5b-9-positive platelets in thrombi were found associated with collagen fibres. C5b-9 formation was obliterated by Mg2+-EGTA and significantly reduced by the thrombin inhibitor hirudin (−37%, p<0.05), but was unaffected by chondroitinase, compstatin, SCH79797 (PAR-1 inhibitor), or in the PRP of a MBL-deficient donor. Compstatin and Mg2+-EGTA, but not hirudin, SCH79797 or chondroitinase, inhibited the formation of collagen-induced microparticles (−71% and −44%, respectively, p<0.04). These microparticles contained greater amounts of C5b-9 compared with the other agonists. Platelet activation by collagen or convulxin resulted in the strong binding of anaphylatoxins and the exposure of receptors C3aR1 and C5aR (CD88) on their surface. Conclusions C5b-9 formation on collagen-activated platelets is i) partially controlled by thrombin, ii) restricted to a subset of platelets, and iii) can occur without P-selectin expression or phosphatidylserine exposure. Activated platelets bind anaphylatoxins on their surface and express C3a and C5a receptors, which may contribute to the localization of inflammatory processes during thrombosis.

Thrombospondin-1 is not the major activator of TGF-β1 in thrombopoietin-induced myelofibrosis.

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is the most important cytokine involved in the promotion of myelofibrosis. Mechanisms leading to its local activation in the bone marrow environment remain unclear. As a recent study has highlighted the role of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in platelet-derived TGF-β1 activation, we investigated the role of TSP-1 in the TPO(high) murine model of myelofibrosis. Two groups of engrafted mice, WT TPO(high) and Tsp-1-null TPO(high), were constituted. All mice developed a similar myeloproliferative syndrome and an increase in total TGF-β1 levels in the plasma and in extracellular fluids of marrow and spleen. Surprisingly, we were able to detect the active form of TGF-β1 in Tsp-1-null TPO(high) mice. Accordingly, these mice developed marrow and spleen fibrosis, with intriguingly a higher grade than in WT TPO(high) mice. Our results show that TSP-1 is not the major activator of TGF-β1 in TPO-induced myelofibrosis, suggesting the contribution of another mechanism in the megakaryocyte/platelet compartment.

L‐Asparaginase lowers plasma antithrombin and mannan‐binding‐lectin levels: Impact on thrombotic and infectious events in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

L‐asparaginase, a key therapeutic agent in the management of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), dramatically impairs hepatic protein synthesis. We investigated the effects of prolonged exposure to L‐asparaginase on antithrombin (AT), fibrinogen and mannan‐binding‐lectin (MBL) levels, and on the occurrence of thrombotic events (TE) and febrile neutropenia episodes (FN) in pediatric patients.

Iron-Refractory Iron Deficiency Anemia May Not Lead to Neurocognitive Dysfunction: A Case Report.

Iron deficiency is a common cause of anemia (IDA) in infancy and can be associated with neurocognitive impairments. Iron-refractory IDA (IRIDA) has recently been described as an inherited cause of IDA due to loss-of-function mutations in the TMPRSS6 gene. IRIDA is characterized by a lack of response to iron replacement. Here we report a new case of IRIDA with its biological parameters and its functional consequences, including neuropsychological impact. The latter was evaluated by the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence–Fourth Edition and subtests. We report a 5-year-old French Canadian boy who was incidentally diagnosed with a severe microcytic anemia at 2 years of age (hemoglobin 52 g/L, mean corpuscular volume 50 fL). Except mild pallor, he was asymptomatic of his anemia. Although he had a slight response to intravenous iron therapy, his hemoglobin remained <92 g/L, with persistent microcytosis, low serum iron, but normal ferritin levels. Blood hepcidin level was higher than those of his parents and control (patient 11.2 nM, father 9.06 nM, mother 4.07 nM). Compound heterozygosity for TMPRSS6 paternally inherited c.1324G>A and maternally inherited c.1807G>C mutations were eventually identified. The patient had normal development and growth. Neuropsychological evaluation revealed excellent performance, with high Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence–Fourth Edition scores (ie, 82nd percentile for both global intelligence and general ability index). In conclusion, TMPRSS6 c.1807G>C in conjunction with c.1324G>A results in IRIDA. In contrast to the usual form of IDA, IRIDA may not be associated with neuropsychological deficits.

Transcriptomic landscape of acute promyelocytic leukemia reveals aberrant surface expression of the platelet aggregation agonist Podoplanin

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a medical emergency because of associated lethal early bleeding, a condition preventable by prompt diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. The mechanisms underlying the hemostatic anomalies of APL are not completely elucidated. RNA-sequencing-based characterization of APL (n = 30) was performed and compared to that of other acute myeloid leukemia (n = 400) samples and normal promyelocytes. Perturbations in the transcriptome of coagulation and fibrinolysis-related genes in APL extend beyond known culprits and now include Thrombin, Factor X and Urokinase Receptor. Most intriguingly, the Podoplanin (PDPN) gene, involved in platelet aggregation, is aberrantly expressed in APL promyelocytes and is the most distinctive transcript for this disease. Using an antibody panel optimized for AML diagnosis by flow cytometry, we also found that PDPN was the most specific surface marker for APL, and that all-trans retinoic acid therapy rapidly decreases its expression. Functional studies showed that engineered overexpression of this gene in human leukemic cells causes aberrant platelet binding, activation and aggregation. PDPN-expressing primary APL cells, but not PDPN-negative primary leukemias, specifically induce platelet binding, activation and aggregation. Finally, PDPN expression on leukemia cells in a xenograft model was associated with thrombocytopenia and prolonged bleeding time in vivo. Together our results suggest that PDPN may contribute to the hemostatic perturbations found in APL.

Thrombospondin-1-derived peptide RFYVVMWK improves the adhesive phenotype of CD34sup+/sup cells from atherosclerotic patients with type 2 diabetes.

CD34+ progenitor cells are growing in use for vascular repair. However, in diabetic individuals with cardiovascular diseases, these cells have dysfunctional engraftment capabilities, which compromise their use for autologous cell therapy. The thrombospondin-1-derived peptide RFYVVMWK has previously been reported to stimulate cell adhesiveness through CD47 and integrin activation pathways. Our aim was to test whether RFYVVMWK preconditioning could modulate CD34+ cell phenotype and enhance its proadhesive properties in diabetic patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear CD34+ cells isolated from 40 atherosclerotic patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D; n = 20) or without (non-T2D; n = 20) were preconditioned with 30 μM RFYVVMWK or truncated peptide RFYVVM. CD34+ cell adhesion was assessed on a vitronectin–collagen matrix and on TNF-α or IL-1β-stimulated HUVEC monolayers. Adhesion receptors, platelet/CD34+ cell conjugates, and cell viability were analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. RFYVVMWK increased the adhesion of T2D CD34+ cells by eightfold to the vitronectin–collagen matrix (p < 0.001) corresponding to a threefold increase compared to unstimulated non-T2D CD34+ cells. The peptide induced the formation of platelet/CD34+ conjugates and increased the expression of TSP-1, CD29, CD51/CD61, and CD62P in both T2D and non-T2D cells. However, RFYVVMWK treatment did not affect the viability/apoptosis of CD34+ progenitor cells. In conclusion, priming CD34+ cells with RFYVVMWK may enhance their vascular engraftment during autologous proangiogenic cell therapy.

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with isolated CFHR3/1 deletion—rapid remission following complement blockade

BackgroundThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is caused by the abundance of uncleaved ultralarge von Willebrand factor multimers (ULvWF) due to acquired (autoantibody-mediated) or congenital vWF protease ADAMTS13 deficiency. Current treatment recommendations include plasma exchange therapy and immunosuppression for the acquired form and (fresh) frozen plasma for congenital TTP.Case-diagnosis/treatmentA previously healthy, 3-year-old boy presented with acute microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, erythrocyturia and mild proteinuria, but normal renal function, and elevated circulating sC5b-9 levels indicating complement activation. He was diagnosed with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and treated with a single dose of eculizumab, followed by prompt resolution of all hematological parameters. However, undetectably low plasma ADAMTS13 activity in the pre-treatment sample, associated with inhibitory ADAMTS13 antibodies, subsequently changed the diagnosis to acquired TTP. vWF protease activity normalized within 15 months without further treatment, and the patient remained in long-term clinical and laboratory remission. Extensive laboratory workup revealed a homozygous deletion of CFHR3/1 negative for anti-CFH antibodies, but no mutations of ADAMTS13, (other) alternative pathway of complement regulators or coagulation factors.ConclusionsThis case, together with a previous report of a boy with congenital TTP (Pecoraro et al. Am J Kidney Dis 66:1067, 2015), strengthens evolving in-vitro and ex-vivo evidence that ULvWF interferes with complement regulation and contributes to the TTP phenotype. Comprehensive, prospective complement studies in patients with TTP may lead to a better pathophysiological understanding and novel treatment approaches for acquired or congenital forms.

Comparing Pathways of Bradykinin Formation in Whole Blood From Healthy Volunteers and Patients With Hereditary Angioedema Due to C1 Inhibitor Deficiency

Multiple pathways have been proposed to generate bradykinin (BK)-related peptides from blood. We applied various forms of activation to fresh blood obtained from 10 healthy subjects or 10 patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE-1 or −2 only) to investigate kinin formation. An enzyme immunoassay for BK was applied to extracts of citrated blood incubated at 37°C under gentle agitation for 0–2 h in the presence of activators and/or inhibitory agents. Biologically active kinins in extracts were corroborated by c-Fos accumulation in HEK 293a cells that express either recombinant human B2 or B1 receptors (B2R, B1R). Biological evidence of HAE diagnostic and blood cell activation was also obtained. The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor enalaprilat, without any effect per se, increased immunoreactive BK (iBK) concentration under active stimulation of blood. Tissue kallikrein (KLK-1) and Kontact-APTT, a particulate material that activates the contact system, rapidly (5 min) and intensely (>100 ng/mL) induced similar iBK generation in the blood of control or HAE subjects. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) slowly (≥1 h) induced iBK generation in control blood, but more rapidly and intensely so in that of HAE patients. Effects of biotechnological inhibitors indicate that tPA recruits factor XIIa (FXIIa) and plasma kallikrein to generate iBK. KLK-1, independent of the contact system, is the only stimulus leading to an inconsistent B1R stimulation. Stimulating neutrophils or platelets did not generate iBK. In the HAE patients observed during remission, iBK formation capability coupled to B2R stimulation appears largely intact. However, a selective hypersensitivity to tPA in the blood of HAE patients suggests a role of plasmin-activated FXIIa in the development of attacks. Proposed pathways of kinin formation dependent on blood cell activation were not corroborated.