COVID-19 and hereditary angioedema: Incidence, outcomes, and mechanistic implications.

Background: Patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) have been postulated to be at increased risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection due to inherent dysregulation of the plasma kallikrein-kinin system. Only limited data have been available to explore this hypothesis. Objective: To assess the interrelationship(s) between COVID-19 and HAE. Methods: Self-reported COVID-19 infection, complications, morbidity, and mortality were surveyed by using an online questionnaire. The participants included subjects with HAE with C1 inhibitor (C1INH) deficiency (HAE-C1INH) and subjects with HAE with normal C1-inhibitor (HAE-nl-C1INH), and household controls (normal controls). The impact of HAE medications was examined. Results: A total of 1162 participants who completed the survey were analyzed, including: 695 subjects with HAE-C1INH, 175 subjects with HAE-nl-C1INH, and 292 normal controls. The incidence of reported COVID-19 was not significantly different between the normal controls (9%) and the subjects with HAE-C1INH (11%) but was greater in the subjects with HAE-nl-C1INH (19%; p = 0.006). Obesity was positively correlated with COVID-19 across the overall population (p = 0.012), with a similar but nonsignificant trend in the subjects with HAE-C1INH. Comorbid autoimmune disease was a risk factor for COVID-19 in the subjects with HAE-C1INH (p = 0.047). COVID-19 severity and complications were similar in all the groups. Reported COVID-19 was reduced in the subjects with HAE-C1INH who received prophylactic subcutaneous C1INH (5.6%; p = 0.0371) or on-demand icatibant (7.8%; p = 0.0016). The subjects with HAE-C1INH and not on any HAE medications had an increased risk of COVID-19 compared with the normal controls (24.5%; p = 0.006). Conclusion: The subjects with HAE-C1INH who were not taking HAE medications had a significantly higher rate of reported COVID-19 infection. Subcutaneous C1INH and icatibant use were associated with a significantly reduced rate of reported COVID-19. The results implicated potential roles for the complement cascade and tissue kallikrein-kinin pathways in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 in patients with HAE-C1INH.

Neutrophils Are Dysregulated in Patients with Hereditary Angioedema Types I and II in a Symptom-Free Period.

Neutrophils impact on processes preceding the formation of bradykinin, a major swelling mediator in hereditary angioedema (HAE), yet their potential role in HAE pathogenesis has not been sufficiently studied. We assessed the relative mRNA expression of 10 genes related to neutrophil activation using RNA extracted from the peripheral blood neutrophils of 23 HAE patients in a symptom-free period and 39 healthy donors. Increased relative mRNA expression levels of CD274, IL1B, IL1RN, IL8, MMP9, and TLR4, together with a lack in their mutual correlations detected in HAE patients compared to healthy controls, suggested a preactivated state and dysregulation of patients' neutrophils. Patients' neutrophil-alerted state was further supported by increased CD11b, decreased CD16 plasma membrane deposition, and increased relative CD274+ and CD87+ neutrophil counts, but not by increased neutrophil elastase or myeloperoxidase plasma levels. As CD274 mediates inhibitory signals to different immune cells, neutrophils were cocultured with T-cells/PBMC. The decrease in CD25+ and IFN-γ + T-cell/PBMC ratio in patients indicated the patients' neutrophil suppressive functions. In summary, the results showed neutrophils' alerted state and dysregulation at the transcript level in patients with HAE types I and II even in a symptom-free period, which might make them more susceptible to edema formation. Neutrophils' T-cell suppressive capacity in HAE patients needs to be further investigated.

Dominant-negative SERPING1 variants cause intracellular retention of C1 inhibitor in hereditary angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent edema attacks associated with morbidity and mortality. HAE results from variations in the SERPING1 gene that encodes the C1 inhibitor (C1INH), a serine protease inhibitor (serpin). Reduced plasma levels of C1INH lead to enhanced activation of the contact system, triggering high levels of bradykinin and increased vascular permeability, but the cellular mechanisms leading to low C1INH levels (20%-30% of normal) in heterozygous HAE type I patients remain obscure. Here, we showed that C1INH encoded by a subset of HAE-causing SERPING1 alleles affected secretion of normal C1INH protein in a dominant-negative fashion by triggering formation of protein-protein interactions between normal and mutant C1INH, leading to the creation of larger intracellular C1INH aggregates that were trapped in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Notably, intracellular aggregation of C1INH and ER abnormality were observed in fibroblasts from a heterozygous carrier of a dominant-negative SERPING1 gene variant, but the condition was ameliorated by viral delivery of the SERPING1 gene. Collectively, our data link abnormal accumulation of serpins, a hallmark of serpinopathies, with dominant-negative disease mechanisms affecting C1INH plasma levels in HAE type I patients, and may pave the way for new treatments of HAE.

Diagnostic biologique des angioedèmes bradykiniques : les recommandations du CREAK.

Bradykinin mediated angioedema (BK-AE) can be associated either with C1Inhibitor deficiency (hereditary and acquired forms), either with normal C1Inh (hereditary form and drug induced AE as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors…). In case of high clinical suspicion of BK-AE, C1Inh exploration must be done at first: C1Inh function and antigenemy as well as C4 concentration. C1Inh deficiency is significant if the tests are below 50 % of the normal values and controlled a second time. In case of C1Inh deficiency, you have to identify hereditary from acquired forms. C1q and anti-C1Inh antibody tests are useful for acquired BK-AE. SERPING1 gene screening must be done if a hereditary angioedema is suspected, even if there is no family context (de novo mutation 15 %). If a hereditary BK-AE with normal C1Inh is suspected, F12 and PLG gene screening is suitable.

Pharmacological Management of Hereditary Angioedema with C1-Inhibitor Deficiency in Pediatric Patients.

Hereditary angioedema with C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) is a form of bradykinin-mediated angioedema. It is a rare disorder with an onset during childhood in most instances. Therefore, familiarity with the options for the management of pediatric cases is indispensable. The recurrent angioedematous episodes do not respond to conventional treatments and may evolve into a life-threatening condition. In view of the recommendations adopted by international consensus in 2016, patient management and follow-up should be guided by an individualized strategy. During the last decade, various medicinal products with novel modes of action and different posology have been developed for the treatment of C1-INH-HAE. These drugs either inhibit the release of bradykinin (plasma-derived C1-inhibitors, recombinant C1-inhibitors, kallikrein inhibitors) or prevent the released bradykinin from binding to its receptor (bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists). This review summarizes the properties of the medicinal products currently available for the treatment of C1-INH-HAE, the indications for their use in pediatric patients, and the findings of the clinical trials conducted in this patient population. It is concluded by a brief outline of future therapeutic options.

Complement, Kinins, and Hereditary Angioedema: Mechanisms of Plasma Instability when C1 Inhibitor is Absent.

Plasma of patients with types I and II hereditary angioedema is unstable if incubated in a plastic (i.e., inert) vessel at 37 °C manifested by progressively increasing formation of bradykinin. There is also a persistent low level of C4 in 95 % of patients even when they are symptomatic. These phenomena are due to the properties of the C1r subcomponent of C1, factor XII, and the bimolecular complex of prekallikrein with high molecular weight kininogen (HK). Purified C1r auto-activates in physiologic buffers, activates C1s, which in turn depletes C4. This occurs when C1 inhibitor is deficient. The complex of prekallikrein-HK acquires an inducible active site not present in prekallikrein which in Tris-type buffers cleaves HK stoichiometrically to release bradykinin, or in phosphate buffer auto-activates to generate kallikrein and bradykinin. Thus immunologic depletion of C1 inhibitor from factor XII-deficient plasma (phosphate is the natural buffer) auto-activates on incubation to release bradykinin. Normal C1 inhibitor prevents this from occurring. During attacks of angioedema, if factor XII auto-activates on surfaces, the initial factor XIIa formed converts prekallikrein to kallikrein, and kallikrein cleaves HK to release bradykinin. Kallikrein also rapidly activates most remaining factor XII to factor XIIa. Additional cleavages convert factor XIIa to factor XIIf and factor XIIf activates C1r enzymatically so that C4 levels approach zero, and C2 is depleted. There is also a possibility that kallikrein is generated first as a result of activation of the prekallikrein-HK complex by heat shock protein 90 released from endothelial cells, followed by kallikrein activation of factor XII.

C1 Inhibitor as a glycoprotein: The influence of polysaccharides on its function and autoantibody target.

C1 Inhibitor (C1Inh), a member of the Serine proteinase inhibitor family, is the most heavily glycosylated plasma protein. This work investigated the impact of C1Inh glycosylation on its function regarding protease targets and autoantibody binding. C1Inh deglycosylation was found to affect its function with O-linked polysaccharides, but not with N-linked polysaccharides, in controlling the contact phase but not C1s target, thus indicating the N-terminal domain's involvement in C1Inh function. Instructive samples demonstrated that O-deglycosylation strongly suppressed autoantibody binding, suggesting the polysaccharide motif is an antibody target. The autoantibodies did not directly affect C1Inh function.

Novel Vasoregulatory Aspects of Hereditary Angioedema: the Role of Arginine Vasopressin, Adrenomedullin and Endothelin-1.

The elevation of bradykinin (BK) level during attacks of hereditary angioedema due to C1-Inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) is well known. We previously demonstrated that endothelin-1 (ET-1) level also increases during C1-INH-HAE attacks. Although BK and ET-1 are both potent vasoactive peptides, the vasoregulatory aspect of the pathomechanism of C1-INH-HAE has not yet been investigated. Hence we studied the levels of vasoactive peptides in controls and in C1-INH-HAE patients, as well as evaluated their changes during C1-INH-HAE attacks. The levels of arginine vasopressin (AVP), adrenomedullin (ADM) and ET-1 were measured in the plasma of 100 C1-INH-HAE patients in inter-attack periods and of 111 control subjects, using BRAHMS Kryptor technologies. In 18 of the 100 C1-INH-HAE patients, the levels of vasoactive peptides were compared in blood samples obtained during attacks, or in inter-attack periods. AVP, ADM and ET-1 levels were similar in inter-attack samples from C1-INH-HAE patients and in the samples of controls, although cardiovascular risk has an effect on the levels of vasoactive peptides in both groups. The levels of all three vasoactive peptides increased during C1-INH-HAE attacks. Moreover, the levels of ET-1 and ADM as well as their changes during attacks were significantly correlated. This study demonstrated that vascular regulation by vasoactive peptides is affected during C1-INH-HAE attacks. Our results suggest that the cooperation of several vasoactive peptides may be necessary to counterbalance the actions of excess BK, and to terminate the attacks. This may reveal a novel pathophysiological aspect of C1-INH-HAE.

Tissue factor expression on the surface of monocytes from a patient with hereditary angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) presents as severe angioedema, which is mostly due to the C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) gene mutations. Environmental factors, minor trauma and oral contraceptives have been reported to induce angioedema attack, but the trigger may often be uncertain. Activated factor XII controlled by C1-INH facilitates bradykinin generation and also regulates coagulation cascade, but the relationship between edema formation and coagulation is still unclear. We have described a 35-year-old female patient with HAE, presenting with frequent angioedema attacks in the absence of an apparent triggering factor. She showed higher levels of FDP and D-dimer during angioedema than those in remission. In addition, tissue factor (TF), an initiator of the extrinsic coagulation cascade, was expressed on the surface of monocytes. It was significantly higher than that of monocytes from healthy controls and tends to further increase during attacks. The expression of TF on monocytes may play a role in the induction of angioedema attacks in HAE by activating the coagulation pathway in association with reduced functions of C1-INH.

Endothelial cell activation during edematous attacks of hereditary angioedema types I and II.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) caused by C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency (HAE-C1-INH) is a potentially life-threatening rare disease caused by the decreased activity of C1-INH. Lack of C1-INH leads to overproduction of bradykinin, a potent vasoactive peptide. Although angioedema is induced by bradykinin, the function and activation of endothelial cells (ECs), the targets of bradykinin, have not yet been studied during HAE attacks. OBJECTIVE: We studied whether EC function is altered during HAE attacks in comparison with attack-free intervals. METHODS: Forty-six consecutive samples obtained during attacks from 18 patients with HAE-C1-INH were compared with inter-attack samples of the same patients. The patients' sera were tested for von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen, VWF collagen-binding activity, soluble E-selectin, and endothelin-1 levels by using ELISA and BRAHMS Kryptor technologies. RESULTS: Levels of all 4 EC markers (VWF antigen, VWF collagen-binding activity, soluble E-selectin, and endothelin-1) were significantly increased during HAE attacks. Their increases were even more obvious in the subgroup of patients without any pre-existing risk factors for endothelial dysfunction. CONCLUSION: In this study we demonstrated that ECs are activated during HAE attacks. Our results might suggest the need for revising the knowledge on the pathogenesis of HAE-C1-INH and for reconsidering the role of ECs as a possible novel therapeutic target in patients with this disease.

Disease-modifying factors in hereditary angioedema: an RNA expression-based screening.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary Angioedema due to C1-Inhibitor deficiency (HAE types I and II) is a monogenic disease characterized by sudden, self-limited episodes of cutaneous and mucosal swelling due to local deregulation of vascular permeability. Despite its monogenic pattern of inheritance, HAE exhibits great clinical variability and low genotype/phenotype correlation among those affected, which ultimately hinders therapeutic approach and probably underlies yet unknown genetic and environmental factors. METHODS: We studied whole-genome RNA expression of PBMCs in three HAE type-I families (accounting for 40 individuals), 24 of which carry the same R472X mutation in the C1-Inhibitor gene and show large variability in terms of disease expression. Those included in this study were analyzed according to the presence of mutation and/or clinical symptoms. RESULTS: Instead of a single, common disease-associated expression pattern, we found different transcriptome signatures in two of the families studied. In one of them (referred to as DR family), symptoms correlate with the upregulation of 35 genes associated to the biological response to viral infections (including RSADs, OAS, MX and ISG pathway members) and immune response. In another pedigree (Q family), disease manifestation is linked to the upregulation of 43 genes with diverse functions, including transcription and protein folding. Moreover, symptoms-free members of the Q pedigree display relatively higher expression of 394 genes with a wide diversity of functions. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence for a common altered PBMC expression pattern linked to HAE symptoms in the three families analyzed. All the data considered, differential gene expression in PBMCs do not seem to play a significant role in the predisposition or protection against HAE in the basal -between crises- conditions analyzed. Although the RNA expression pattern associated to the response to viral infections observed in the DR family supports the idea of infectious diseases as a modifying factor for HAE severity, large-scale studies would be needed to statistically associate such expression pattern to the development of this rare disease.

Current pharmacotherapy of bradykinin-mediated angioedema.

INTRODUCTION: Bradykinin-mediated angioedema is characterized by subcutaneous and/or submucosal edema formation without wheals and pruritus. It is linked to bradykinin-enhanced vascular permeability and, therefore, it does not respond to conventional measures, but requires specific therapy. AREAS COVERED: This summary briefly reviews the different types of bradykinin-mediated angioedema and its remedies. Therapy focuses on relieving edema, as well as on decreasing its incidence and severity. The modes of the actions of attenuated androgens and antifibrinolytics are not precisely known - these agents have been introduced on an empirical basis. Contemporary treatments, by contrast, have been purposely developed to inhibit bradykinin. Most experience pertains to angioedema resulting from C1-inhibitor deficiency, and the controlled studies have focused on the hereditary form of this disease type (HAE). The pathomechanisms of HAE with normal C1-inhibitor activity, as well as of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-releated, and of non-histaminergic idiopathic sporadic angioedemas are largely unknown. Appropriate laboratory methods for the diagnosis, or specific interventions for the therapy of these conditions are not available or only available off-label. EXPERT OPINION: In this case, diagnosis and management are challenging. The range of targeted therapeutic options has increased in recent years and includes measures to handle emergencies, prevent edematous episodes and manage additional types of bradykinin-mediated angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema attacks resolve faster and are shorter after early icatibant treatment.

BACKGROUND: Attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) are unpredictable and, if affecting the upper airway, can be lethal. Icatibant is used for physician- or patient self-administered symptomatic treatment of HAE attacks in adults. Its mode of action includes disruption of the bradykinin pathway via blockade of the bradykinin B(2) receptor. Early treatment is believed to shorten attack duration and prevent severe outcomes; however, evidence to support these benefits is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of timing of icatibant administration on the duration and resolution of HAE type I and II attacks. METHODS: The Icatibant Outcome Survey is an international, prospective, observational study for patients treated with icatibant. Data on timings and outcomes of icatibant treatment for HAE attacks were collected between July 2009-February 2012. A mixed-model of repeated measures was performed for 426 attacks in 136 HAE type I and II patients. RESULTS: Attack duration was significantly shorter in patients treated <1 hour of attack onset compared with those treated ≥ 1 hour (6.1 hours versus 16.8 hours [p<0.001]). Similar significant effects were observed for <2 hours versus ≥ 2 hours (7.2 hours versus 20.2 hours [p<0.001]) and <5 hours versus ≥ 5 hours (8.0 hours versus 23.5 hours [p<0.001]). Treatment within 1 hour of attack onset also significantly reduced time to attack resolution (5.8 hours versus 8.8 hours [p<0.05]). Self-administrators were more likely to treat early and experience shorter attacks than those treated by a healthcare professional. CONCLUSION: Early blockade of the bradykinin B(2) receptor with icatibant, particularly within the first hour of attack onset, significantly reduced attack duration and time to attack resolution.

The role of ficolins and MASPs in hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (HAE-C1-INH) causes disturbances in the complement system. However, the influence of HAE-C1-INH on the lectin pathway of complement is unresolved. Thus, we studied the main initiator molecules, enzymes and regulators in the lectin pathway in patients with HAE-C1-INH. METHODS: The serum concentrations of ficolin-2, ficolin-3, MBL, MASP-2, MASP-3, and MAP-1 were measured during symptom-free periods in 91 patients with HAE-C1-INH, and in 100 healthy controls using sandwich ELISAs. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the levels of ficolin-2 (p<0.0001) and MASP-2 (p=0.0238) were reduced, while the levels of MBL and MASP-3 were elevated (p=0.0028 and p<0.0001, respectively) in HAE-C1-INH patients. Ficolin-3 and MAP-1 levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. Ficolin-2 correlated with MASP-3 in patients (r=0.3443, p=0.0008), while these parameters showed an opposite relationship in controls (r=-0.4625, p<0.0001). In the patients, ficolin-3 correlated with MASP-2 (r=0.3698, p=0.001). Ficolin-2, -3, and MAP-1 correlated negatively with the annual requirement of plasma derived C1-INH concentrate (r=-0.2863, p=0.0059; r=-0.2654, p=0.0110 and r=-0.2501, p=0.0168, respectively). Ficolin-3 showed a negative correlation with the annual number of attacks (r=-0.2478, p=0.0179). CONCLUSIONS: We found significant differences between patients and controls in the levels of some of the molecules belonging to the lectin complement pathway. Low concentrations of particularly ficolin-2 and -3 were inversely correlated with the severity of HAE-C1-INH, while this was not observed for MBL. This suggests a previously unrecognized involvement of the ficolin-dependent lectin complement pathway in the pathophysiology of HAE-C1-INH.