Automated Light Transmission Aggregometry with and without Platelet Poor Plasma Reference: A Method Comparison.

Background Light transmission aggregometry (LTA) is considered the gold standard for the evaluation of platelet function but is labor-intensive and involves numerous manual steps. Automation may contribute to standardization. Here, we evaluate the performance characteristics of a new automated instrument, Thrombomate XRA (TXRA), and compare it against a manual instrument (PAP-8). Materials and Methods Leftover blood samples from blood donors or patients were tested in parallel with identical reagents and in identical concentrations both manually using PAP-8 and automated on the TXRA. In addition to precision and method comparison, an additional evaluation was performed on the TXRA against "virtual" platelet-poor plasma (VPPP) based on artificial intelligence. The main focus was on comparing the maximum aggregation (MA%) values. Results Precision for MA% ranged from 1.4 to 4.6% on TXRA for all reagents. Normal ranges for 100 healthy blood donors on both instruments were in a similar range for all reagents, with a tendency to slightly higher values with TXRA. Most agonists resulted in normally distributed MA%. Comparing 47 patient samples on both devices showed a good correlation for both slope and MA% with some differences in individual samples with epinephrine and TRAP. Correlation between the TXRA measurement against PPP and "virtual" PPP demonstrated excellent correlation. Reaction signatures of both devices were very similar. Conclusion TXRA provides reproducible LTA results that correlate with an established manual method when tested against PPP or VPPP. Its ability to perform LTA only from platelet-rich plasma without requiring autologous PPP simplifies LTA. TXRA is an important step not only for further standardizing LTA but also for a more widespread use of this important method.

Naturally occurring point mutation Cys460Trp located in the I-EGF1 domain of integrin ß3 alters the binding of some anti-HPA-1a antibodies.

BACKGROUND: Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is caused by the destruction of platelets in the fetus or newborn by maternal platelet alloantibodies, mostly against human platelet antigen (HPA)-1a. Recent studies indicate that two anti-HPA subtypes exist: Type I reacts with epitopes residing on the plexin-semaphorin-integrin (PSI) and type II with plexin-semaphorin-integrin/integrin epidermal growth factor 1 (I-EGF1) domains of the ß3 integrin. Here, we evaluated whether a Cys460Trp mutation in the I-EGF1 domain found in a patient with Glanzmann thrombasthenia can alter the binding of anti-HPA-1a. METHODS: Stable HEK293 cell lines expressing wild-type and mutant αIIbß3 and αvß3 were generated to prove the reactivity of different antibodies against HPA-1a. RESULTS: Flow cytometry analysis of wild-type (Cys460) and mutant (Trp460) expressed on HEK293 cells showed equal surface expression of αIIbß3 and αvß3. When tested with mutant αIIbß3 cells, reduced binding was observed in Type II but not in Type I anti-HPA-1a. These results could be confirmed with platelets carrying Cys460Trp mutation. Interestingly, reduced binding of Type I antibodies was detected with mutant αvß3 cells. Both antibody types were found in maternal sera from FNAIT cases by an antigen-capture assay with use of HEK293 transfected cells. CONCLUSIONS: These observations confirm the existence of Type I and Type II anti-HPA-1a. Furthermore, this study underlines different immunogenicity of HPA-1a antigen(s) residing on either αIIbß3 or αvß3. Further analysis of FNAIT cases from mothers having a fetus with and without intracranial bleedings with use of such an approach may highlight the functional relevance of different anti-HPA-1a subtypes.

Immunisation against αIIbß3 and αvß3 in a type 1 variant of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia caused by a missense mutation Gly540Asp on ß3.

Treatment of bleeding in patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT) can be hampered by iso-antibodies against the αIIbß3 integrin, which cause rapid clearance of transfused donor platelets. Type 1 GT patients with a total absence of αIIbß3 from the platelet surface are known to be susceptible to form such isoantibodies. In this study, we describe a type 1 GT patient with a missense mutation (Gly540Asn) located in the EGF3 domain of the ß3 integrin subunit. Cotransfection analysis in CHO cells demonstrates total absence of αIIbß3 from the surface, based on inappropriate αIIb maturation. The patient's serum was reactive with αIIbß3 and αvß3 integrins in a capture assay, when platelets and endothelial cells were used. Two specificities could be isolated from the patient's serum, anti-αIIbß3 and anti-αvß3 isoantibodies. Both specificities did not interfere with platelet aggregation. In contrast, isoantibodies against αvß3, but not against αIIbß3, were able to disturb endothelial cell adhesion onto vitronectin, triggered endothelial cell apoptosis and interfered with endothelial tube formation. This intriguing finding may explain more recently observed features of fetal/neonatal iso-immune thrombocytopenia in children from type 1 GT mothers with intracranial haemorrhage, which could be related to anti-endothelial activity of the maternal antibodies. In conclusion, we give evidence that two isoantibody entities exist in type 1 GT patients, which are unequivocally different, both in an immunological and functional sense. Further research on the clinical consequences of immunisation against αvß3 is required, predominantly in GT patients of childbearing age.

Alloantibody against new platelet alloantigen (Lap(a)) on glycoprotein IIb is responsible for a case of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.

BACKGROUND: Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is caused by the destruction of platelets (PLTs) in the fetus or newborn by maternal PLT antibodies that crossed the placenta during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this study, we aim to elucidate the properties of a new PLT alloantigen (Lap(a)) that is associated with a severe case of FNAIT. Analysis of maternal serum with phenotyped PLTs by monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of platelet antigens showed positive reaction against PLT glycoprotein (GP)IIb/IIIa and HLA Class I expressed on paternal PLTs. RESULTS: In contrast to GPIIIa-reactive anti-HPA-1a, anti-Lap(a) alloantibodies precipitated predominantly GPIIb. Indeed, a point mutation G>C at Position 2511 located in Exon 25 of the ITGA2B gene was found in Lap(a)-positive donors. This mutation causes an amino exchange Gln>His at Position 806 located in the calf-2 domain of GPIIb. Lap(a)-positive individuals were not found in 300 random blood donors. Our expression study showed that anti-Lap(a) alloantibodies reacted with stable transfected HEK293 cells expressing the mutated GPIIb isoform (His806). CHO cells carrying this isoform, however, failed to react with anti-Lap(a) alloantibodies, indicating that Lap(a) epitopes depend on the Gln806 His mutation and the carbohydrate composition of the GPIIb. This mutation did not hamper the binding of anti-HPA-3a, which recognizes a point mutation (Ile843 Ser) located in calf-2 domain. Finally, we found that Lap(a) and some HPA-3a epitopes are sensitive to O-glycanase. CONCLUSIONS: This study not only underlines the relevance of rare HPAs on the pathomechanism of FNAIT, but also helps to understand the pitfalls of serologic assays to detect anti-GPIIb alloantibodies.

Diclofenac-induced antibodies against red blood cells are heterogeneous and recognize different epitopes.

BACKGROUND: Diclofenac (DCF) is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug implicated as a cause of immune hemolytic anemia. Drug derivatives have been suggested to be an important-or probably the primary-immunizing agent in drug-induced immune reactions. A systematic evaluation of 12 patients with DCF-induced immune hemolysis is reported. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: All sera samples were evaluated with standard serologic tests for the detection of red blood cells (RBCs) and platelet (PLT) antibodies in the presence of DCF, DCF-urine (DCF-U), and five chemically defined metabolites. RESULTS: Twelve patients' sera samples reacted with DCF-U, but only 9 reacted with DCF. When derivatives were tested, no metabolite was recognized by all sera samples (although 4'-OH-DCF was recognized by 11/12), and no metabolite remained unrecognized. As demonstrated with Rh(null) cells, the Rh complex may represent an important, but not the only, target protein for which drug-dependent antibodies are specific. PLT-reactive antibodies were not detectable. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that patients with DCF-induced immune hemolysis produce a broad spectrum of anti-DCF/RBC antibodies. 4'-OH-DCF seems to represent the most immunogenic metabolite. Nevertheless, all patients' sera samples contain a mixture of antibodies that recognize several and distinguishable epitopes. These epitopes consist of different drug metabolites and a target protein on the RBC surface, which appears to be the Rh complex in many, but not in all, cases. Additional target proteins remain to be identified.