Whole F8 gene sequencing identified pathogenic structural variants in the remaining unsolved patients with severe hemophilia A.

BACKGROUND: No F8 genetic abnormality is detected in approximately 1% to 2% of patients with severe hemophilia A (HA) using conventional genetic approaches. In these patients, deep intronic variation or F8 disrupting genomic rearrangement could be causal. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to identify the causal variation in families with a history of severe HA for whom genetic investigations failed. METHODS: We performed whole F8 gene sequencing in 8 propositi. Genomic rearrangements were confirmed by Sanger sequencing of breakpoint junctions and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: A structural variant disrupting F8 was found in each propositus, so that all the 815 families with a history of severe HA registered in our laboratory received a conclusive genetic diagnosis. These structural variants consisted of 3 balanced inversions, 3 large insertions of gained regions, and 1 retrotransposition of a mobile element. The 3 inversions were 105 Mb, 1.97 Mb, and 0.362 Mb in size. Among the insertions of gained regions, one corresponded to the insertion of a 34 kb gained region from chromosome 6q27 in F8 intron 6, another was the insertion of a 447 kb duplicated region from chromosome 9p22.1 in F8 intron 14, and the last one was the insertion of an Xq28 349 kb gained in F8 intron 5. CONCLUSION: All the genetically unsolved cases of severe HA in this cohort were due to structural variants disrupting F8. This study highlights the effectiveness of whole F8 sequencing to improve the molecular diagnosis of HA when the conventional approach fails.

The challenging follow-up of pregnancy in women with known thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a single-center experience of a preemptive management protocol.

BACKGROUND: Although thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura frequently affects women of childbearing age, there is no clear recommendation for the management of subsequent pregnancies in women with established thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective, observational study included all women with hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura who had had at least one subsequent pregnancy after thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura diagnosis between 2003 and 2022. The strategy comprised weekly surveillance of platelet count during pregnancy (and quarterly monitoring of ADAMTS13 activity) for women with immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, without any routine prophylactic treatment. In case of thrombocytopenia < 150,000/mm3 (with or without hemolysis relapse), women with hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura systematically received plasma infusions twice weekly until platelet count normalized. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were included (7 with hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and 6 with immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, with 20 planned pregnancies (11 and 9, respectively). All pregnancies resulted in live births, and all mothers survived. There was a marked improvement in pregnancy terms in the hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura group compared to index pregnancies (37 [35;39] versus 31 [24;38] weeks, p = 0.037) and birth weights (3265 [3029;3410] versus 2160 [1240;2705] grams, p = 0.016), with need for plasma support mostly starting during the third trimester (5/7 patients, 7/11 pregnancies). A single hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura relapse occurred, with rapid resolution after plasma support intensification. There were no relapses in the immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura group, with ADAMTS13 activity systematically above 40% during all monitored pregnancies. CONCLUSION: These real-life data support the feasibility of a preemptive approach to pregnancy monitoring in women with known thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura who undergo active surveillance within a multidisciplinary network.

Whole F8 gene sequencing combined with splicing functional analyses led to a substantial increase of the molecular diagnosis yield for non-severe haemophilia A.

INTRODUCTION: Conventional genetic investigation fails to identify the F8 causal variant in 2.5%-10% of haemophilia A (HA) patients with non-severe phenotypes. In these cases, F8 deep intronic variants could be causal. AIM: To identify pathogenic F8 deep intronic variants in genetically unresolved families with non-severe HA analysed in the haematology laboratory of the Hospices Civils de Lyon. METHODS: The whole F8 was analysed by next generation sequencing. The pathogenic impact of candidate variants identified was assessed using both in silico analysis (MaxEntScan and spliceAI) and functional analysis (RNA or minigene assay). RESULTS: Sequencing was performed in 49/55 families included for which a DNA sample from a male propositus was available. In total, 33 candidate variants from 43 propositi were identified. These variants corresponded to 31 single nucleotide substitutions, one 173-bp deletion, and an 869-bp tandem triplication. No candidate variant was found in six propositi. The most frequent variants found were the association of [c.2113+1154G>C and c.5374-304C>T], identified in five propositi, and the c.2114-6529C>G identified in nine propositi. Four variants had been previously described as HA-causing. Splicing functional assay found a deleterious impact for 11 substitutions (c.671-94G>A, c.788-312A>G, c.2113+1154G>C, c.2114-6529C>G, c.5999-820A>T, c.5999-786C>A, c.5999-669G>T, c.5999-669G>A, c.5999-669G>C, c.6900+4104A>C, and c.6901-2992A>G). The HA-causing variant was identified in 33/49 (67%) cases. In total, F8 deep intronic variants caused 8.8% of the non-severe HA among the 1643 families analysed in our laboratory. CONCLUSION: The results emphasise the value of whole F8 gene sequencing combined with splicing functional analyses to improve the diagnosis yield for non-severe HA.

Whole F9 gene sequencing identified deep intronic variations in genetically unresolved hemophilia B patients.

BACKGROUND: The disease-causative variant remains unidentified in approximately 0.5% to 2% of hemophilia B patients using conventional genetic investigations, and F9 deep intronic variations could be responsible for these phenotypes. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to characterize deep intronic variants in hemophilia B patients for whom genetic investigations failed. METHODS: We performed whole F9 sequencing in 17 genetically unsolved hemophilia B patients. The pathogenic impact of the candidate variants identified was studied using both in silico analysis (MaxEntScan and spliceAI) and minigene assay. RESULTS: In total, 9 candidate variants were identified in 15 patients; 7 were deep intronic substitutions and 2 corresponded to insertions of mobile elements. The most frequent variants found were c.278-1806A>C and the association of c.278-1244A>G and c.392-864T>G, identified in 4 and 6 unrelated individuals, respectively. In silico analysis predicted splicing impact for 4 substitutions (c.278-1806A>C, c.392-864T>G, c.724-2385G>T, c.723+4297T>A). Minigene assay showed a deleterious splicing impact for these 4 substitutions and also for the c.278-1786_278-1785insLINE. In the end, 5 variants were classified as likely pathogenic using the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines, and 4 as of unknown significance. Thus, the hemophilia B-causing variant was identified in 13/17 (76%) families. CONCLUSION: We elucidated the causing defect in three-quarters of the families included in this study, and we reported new F9 deep intronic variants that can cause hemophilia B.

Reinvestigation of unidentified causative variants in FXI-deficient patients: Focus on gene segment deletions.

INTRODUCTION: Data on failure to identify the molecular mechanism underlying FXI deficiency by Sanger analysis and the contribution of gene segment deletions are almost inexistent. AIMS AND METHODS: Prospective and retrospective analysis was conducted on FXI-deficient patients' DNA via Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), or Sanger sequencing and Multiplex Probe Ligation-dependent Assay (MLPA) to detect cryptic causative gene variants or gene segment deletions. RESULTS: Sanger analysis or NGS enabled us to identify six severe and one partial (median activity 41 IU/dl) FXI deficient index cases with deletions encompassing exons 11-15, the whole gene, or both. After Sanger sequencing, retrospective evaluation using MLPA detected seven additional deletion cases in apparently homozygous cases in non-consanguineous families, or in previously unsolved FXI-deficiency cases. Among the 504 index cases with a complete genetic investigation (Sanger/MLPA, or NGS), 23 remained unsolved (no abnormality found [n = 14] or rare intronic variants currently under investigation, [n = 9]). In the 481 solved cases (95% efficiency), we identified F11 gene-deleted patients (14 cases; 2.9%). Among these, whole gene deletion accounted for four heterozygous cases, exons 11-15 deletion for five heterozygous and three homozygous ones, while compound heterozygous deletion and isolated exon 12 deletion accounted for one case each. CONCLUSION: Given the high incidence of deletions in our population (2.9%), MLPA (or NGS with a reliable bioinformatic pipeline) should be systematically performed for unsolved FXI deficiencies or apparently homozygous cases in non-consanguineous families.

ABO Blood Groups in Systemic Sclerosis: Distribution and Association with This Disease's Characteristics.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease associated with endothelial activation and fibrosis. Non-O blood group patients carry an increased risk of thrombosis, fibrosis and autoimmune diseases. The aim of our work was to evaluate the distribution of ABO groups in SSc patients and their association with the disease's characteristics. ABO groups were determined in 504 SSc patients (with 131 completed by a genotypic analysis). The distribution of ABO groups and their diplotypes in SSc patients was comparable to that of the general population, except for haplotypes O1 and B (65.6% vs. 61.6% and 8.8% vs. 5.8% in SSc patients vs. the general population, respectively, p = 0.01). The frequency of interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, calcinosis, digital ulcers, digestive diseases and venous thrombosis, and the Medsger score, were higher in non-O than in O-SSc patients, although they did not display statistical significance. Patients in the non-O group had higher levels of inflammation and endothelial activation biomarkers. In conclusion, the ABO blood group distribution of SSc patients did not differ significantly from that of the general population, but non-O blood groups were associated with inflammation and endothelial activation, and with a non-significant higher frequency of pulmonary and vascular complications in SSc.

Gastrointestinal bleeding from angiodysplasia in von Willebrand disease: Improved diagnosis and outcome prediction using videocapsule on top of conventional endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Despite a high prevalence of angiodysplasia, no specific guidelines are available for the modalities of endoscopic exploration of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in von Willebrand disease (VWD). Whether VWD patients could benefit from video capsule endoscopy (VCE) looking for angiodysplasia eligible to endoscopic treatment or at high risk of bleeding is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic efficacy for angiodysplasia and the prognostic value of VCE on top of conventional endoscopy in VWD patients with GI bleeding. PATIENTS/METHODS: A survey was sent to the 30 centers of the French-network on inherited bleeding disorders to identify VWD patients referred for endoscopic exploration of GI bleeding from January 2015 to December 2017. Data obtained included patient characteristics, VWD phenotype/genotype, GI bleeding pattern, results of endoscopic investigations, and medical management applied including endoscopic therapy. We assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis the recurrence-free survival after the first GI bleeding event according to endoscopic categorization and, in patients with angiodysplasia, to the presence of small-bowel localizations on VCE exploration. RESULTS: GI bleeding source localization was significantly improved when including VCE exploration (P < .01), even in patients without history of angiodysplasia (P < .05). Patients with angiodysplasia had more GI bleeding recurrences (P < .01). A lower recurrence-free survival was observed in patients with angiodysplasia (log-rank test, P = .02), and especially when lesions were located in the small bowel (log-rank test, P < .01), even after endoscopic treatment with argon plasma coagulation (log-rank test, P < .01). CONCLUSION: VCE should be more systematically used in VWD patients with unexplained or recurrent GI bleeding looking for angiodysplasia eligible to endoscopic treatment or at high risk of relapse.

The challenge of genetically unresolved haemophilia A patients: Interest of the combination of whole F8 gene sequencing and functional assays.

BACKGROUND: The causative variant remains unidentified in 2%-5% of haemophilia A (HA) patients despite an exhaustive sequencing of the full F8 coding sequence, splice consensus sequences, 5'/3' untranslated regions and copy number variant (CNV) analysis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has provided significant improvements for a complete F8 analysis. AIM: The aim of this study was to identify and characterize pathogenic non-coding variants in F8 of 15 French and Canadian HA patients genetically unresolved, through the use of NGS, mRNA sequencing and functional confirmation of aberrant splicing. METHODS: We sequenced the entire F8 gene using an NGS capture method. We analysed F8 mRNA in order to detect aberrant transcripts. The pathogenic effect of candidate intronic variants was further confirmed using a minigene assay. RESULTS: After bioinformatic analysis, 11 deep intronic variants were identified in 13 patients (8 new variants and 3 previously reported). Three variants were confirmed to be likely pathogenic with the presence of an aberrant transcript during mRNA analysis and minigene assay. We also found a small intronic deletion in 6 patients, recently described as causing mild HA. CONCLUSION: With this comprehensive work combining NGS and functional assays, we report new deep intronic variants that cause HA through splicing alteration mechanism. Functional analyses are critical to confirm the pathogenic effect of these variants and will be invaluable in the future to study the large number of variants of uncertain significance that may affect splicing that will be found in the human genome.

In vitro coagulation triggers anti-Aspergillus fumigatus neutrophil response.

AIM: To explore Aspergillus interactions with platelets in the blood, especially during clot formation. MATERIALS & METHODS: Aspergillus fumigatus resting or swollen conidia, germlings or hyphae were inoculated into blood sampled into tubes with or without anticoagulant. Interactions were explored using microscopy, and chemokine levels were determined. RESULTS: Anatomopathological examination of the clot revealed conidia and germlings colocalization with platelet aggregates, and neutrophil recruitment around aggregates. Transmission electron microscopy showed conidia and hyphae surrounded by neutrophils. Increased CCL5 and CXCL4 when conidia or germlings but not hyphae were added suggested they could be involved in neutrophil recruitment around aggregates. CONCLUSION: These data suggest platelets could trigger coagulopathy and activate neutrophils during aspergillosis. They open up new perspectives for aspergillosis management.

Successful immunosuppressant-free heterotopic transplantation of tracheal allografts in the pig.

OBJECTIVES: It has been demonstrated that both heterotopic and orthotopic transplants of epithelium-denuded cryopreserved tracheal allografts are feasible in immunosuppressant-free rabbits. Validation of these results in large animals is required before considering clinical applications. We evaluated the viability, immune tolerance and strain properties of such tracheal allografts heterotopically transplanted in a pig model. METHODS: Ten tracheal segments, 5 short (5 rings) and 5 long (10 rings), were obtained from male Landrace pigs. The tracheal segments were surgically denuded of their epithelium, then cryopreserved and stored in a tissue bank for 33 to 232 days. After thawing, tracheal segments stented with a silicone tube were wrapped in the omentum in 2 groups of 5 female recipients. The animals did not receive any immunosuppressive drugs. The animals were euthanized from Day 6 to Day 90 in both groups. RESULTS: An effective revascularization of allografts regardless of length was observed. Lymphocyte infiltrate was shown in the early postoperative period and became non-significant after 30 days. Allografts displayed high levels of neoangiogenesis and viable cartilage rings with islets of calcification. Biomechanical measurements demonstrated strain properties similar to those of a fresh tracheal segment from Day 58. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the acceptability and satisfactory stiffness of epithelium-denuded cryopreserved tracheal allografts implanted in the omentum, despite the absence of immunosuppressive drugs. Since the omentum has the capability to reach the tracheal region, this approach should be investigated in the setting of orthotopic transplants in a pig model before considering clinical applications.

Human Alternative Macrophages Populate Calcified Areas of Atherosclerotic Lesions and Display Impaired RANKL-Induced Osteoclastic Bone Resorption Activity.

RATIONALE: Vascular calcification is a process similar to bone formation leading to an inappropriate deposition of calcium phosphate minerals in advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Monocyte-derived macrophages, located in atherosclerotic lesions and presenting heterogeneous phenotypes, from classical proinflammatory M1 to alternative anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, could potentially display osteoclast-like functions. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the phenotype of macrophages located in areas surrounding the calcium deposits in human atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS AND RESULTS: Macrophages near calcium deposits display an alternative phenotype being both CD68 and mannose receptor-positive, expressing carbonic anhydrase type II, but relatively low levels of cathepsin K. In vitro interleukin-4-polarization of human primary monocytes into macrophages results in lower expression and activity of cathepsin K compared with resting unpolarized macrophages. Moreover, interleukin-4 polarization lowers expression levels of the osteoclast transcriptional activator nuclear factor of activated T cells type c-1, associated with increased gene promoter levels of the transcriptional repression mark H3K27me3 (histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation). Despite higher expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB receptor, receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand/macrophage colony-stimulating factor induction of nuclear factor of activated T cells type c-1 and cathepsin K expression is defective in these macrophages because of reduced Erk/c-fos-mediated downstream signaling resulting in impaired bone resorption capacity. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that macrophages surrounding calcium deposits in human atherosclerotic plaques are phenotypically defective being unable to resorb calcification.

Von Willebrand Factor Multimers during Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Postprocedural aortic regurgitation occurs in 10 to 20% of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis. We hypothesized that assessment of defects in high-molecular-weight (HMW) multimers of von Willebrand factor or point-of-care assessment of hemostasis could be used to monitor aortic regurgitation during TAVR. METHODS: We enrolled 183 patients undergoing TAVR. Patients with aortic regurgitation after the initial implantation, as identified by means of transesophageal echocardiography, underwent additional balloon dilation to correct aortic regurgitation. HMW multimers and the closure time with adenosine diphosphate (CT-ADP), a point-of-care measure of hemostasis, were assessed at baseline and 5 minutes after each step of the procedure. Mortality was evaluated at 1 year. A second cohort (201 patients) was studied to validate the use of CT-ADP in order to identify patients with aortic regurgitation. RESULTS: After the initial implantation, HMW multimers normalized in patients without aortic regurgitation (137 patients). Among the 46 patients with aortic regurgitation, normalization occurred in 20 patients in whom additional balloon dilation was successful but did not occur in the 26 patients with persistent aortic regurgitation. A similar sequence of changes was observed with CT-ADP. A CT-ADP value of more than 180 seconds had sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of 92.3%, 92.4%, and 98.6%, respectively, for aortic regurgitation, with similar results in the validation cohort. Multivariable analyses showed that the values for HMW multimers and CT-ADP at the end of TAVR were each associated with mortality at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of HMW-multimer defects and a high value for a point-of-care hemostatic test, the CT-ADP, were each predictive of the presence of aortic regurgitation after TAVR and were associated with higher mortality 1 year after the procedure. (Funded by Lille 2 University and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02628509.).

Characterization of a novel large deletion caused by double-stranded breaks in 6-bp microhomologous sequences of intron 11 and 12 of the F13A1 gene.

Coagulation Factor XIII is a heterotetrameric protransglutaminase which stabilizes preformed fibrin clots by covalent crosslinking them. Inherited homozygous or compound heterozygous deficiency of coagulation Factor XIII (FXIII) is a rare severe bleeding disorder affecting 1 in 2 million individuals. Most of the patients with inherited FXIII deficiency described in the literature carry F13A1 gene point mutations (missense, nonsense and splice site defects), whereas large deletions (>0.5 kb in size) are underrepresented. In this article we report for the first time the complete characterization of a novel homozygous F13A1 large deletion covering the entire exon 12 in a young patient with a severe FXIII-deficient phenotype from France. Using primer walking on genomic DNA we have identified the deletion breakpoints in the region between g.6.143,016-g.6.148,901 caused by small 6-bp microhomologies at the 5´ and 3´ breakpoints. Parents of the patient were heterozygous carriers. Identification of this large deletion offers the possibility of prenatal diagnosis for the mother in this family who is heterozygous for this deletion.

A Laboratory Phenotype/Genotype Correlation of 1167 French Patients From 670 Families With von Willebrand Disease: A New Epidemiologic Picture.

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a genetic bleeding disease due to a defect of von Willebrand factor (VWF), a glycoprotein crucial for platelet adhesion to the subendothelium after vascular injury. VWD include quantitative defects of VWF, either partial (type 1 with VWF levels <50 IU/dL) or virtually total (type 3 with undetectable VWF levels) and also qualitative defects of VWF (type 2 variants with discrepant antigenic and functional VWF levels). The most bleeding forms of VWD usually do not concern type 1 patients with the mildest VWF defects (VWF levels between 30 and 50 IU/dL). The French reference center for VWD performed a laboratory phenotypic and genotypic analysis in 1167 VWD patients (670 families) selected by their basic biologic phenotype: type 3, type 2, and type 1 with VWF levels <30 IU/dL. In these patients indeed, to achieve an accurate diagnosis of VWD type and subtype is crucial for the management (treatment and genetic counseling). A phenotype/genotype correlation was present in 99.3% of cases; 323 distinct VWF sequence variations (58% of novel) were identified (missense 67% versus truncating 33%). The distribution of VWD types was: 25% of type 1, 8% of type 3, 66% of type 2 (2A: 18%, 2B: 17%, 2M: 19%, 2N: 12%), and 1% of undetermined type. Type 1 VWD was related either to a defective synthesis/secretion or to an accelerated clearance of VWF. In type 3 VWD, bi-allelic mutations of VWF were found in almost all patients. In type 2A, the most frequent mechanism was a hyper-proteolysis of VWF. Type 2B showed 85% of patients with deleterious mutations (distinct from type 2B New York). Type 2M was linked to a defective binding of VWF to platelet glycoprotein Ib or to collagen. Type 2N VWD included almost half type 2N/3. This biologic study emphasizes the complex mechanisms for both quantitative and qualitative VWF defects in VWD. In addition, this study provides a new epidemiologic picture of the most bleeding forms of VWD in which qualitative defects are predominant.

A novel ELISA-based diagnosis of acquired von Willebrand disease with increased VWF proteolysis.

Von Willebrand disease-type 2A (VWD-2A) and acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) due to aortic stenosis (AS) or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) are associated with an increased proteolysis of von Willebrand factor (VWF). Analysis of VWF multimeric profile is the most sensitive way to assess such increased VWF-proteolysis. However, several technical aspects hamper a large diffusion among routine diagnosis laboratories. This makes early diagnosis and early appropriate care of increased proteolysis challenging. In this context of unmet medical need, we developed a new ELISA aiming a quick, easy and reliable assessment of VWF-proteolysis. This ELISA was assessed successively in a LVAD-model, healthy subjects (n=39), acquired TTP-patients (n=4), VWD-patients (including VWD-2A(IIA), n=22; VWD-2B, n=26; VWD-2A(IIE), n=21; and VWD-1C, n=8) and in AVWS-patients (AS, n=9; LVAD, n=9; and MGUS, n=8). A standard of VWF-proteolysis was specifically developed. Extent of VWF-proteolysis was expressed as relative percentage and as VWF proteolysis/VWF:Ag ratio. A speed-dependent increase in VWF-proteolysis was assessed in the LVAD model whereas no proteolysis was observed in TTP-patients. In VWD-patients, VWF-proteolysis was significantly increased in VWD-2A(IIA) and VWD-2B and significantly decreased in VWD-2A(IIE) versus controls (p< 0.0001). In AVWS-patients, VWF-proteolysis was significantly increased in AS- and LVAD-patients compared to controls (p< 0.0001) and not detectable in MGUS-patients. A significant increase in VWF-proteolysis was detected as soon as three hours after LVAD implantation (p< 0.01). In conclusion, we describe a new ELISA allowing a rapid and accurate diagnosis of VWF-proteolysis validated in three different clinical situations. This assay represents a helpful alternative to electrophoresis-based assay in the diagnosis and management of AVWS with increased VWF-proteolysis.

Transducin-like enhancer of split-1 is expressed and functional in human macrophages.

Macrophages display heterogeneous phenotypes, including the classical M1 proinflammatory and the alternative M2 anti-inflammatory polarization states. The transducin-like enhancer of split-1 (TLE1) is a transcriptional corepressor whose functions in macrophages have not been studied yet. We report that TLE1 is highly expressed in human alternative macrophages in vitro and in atherosclerotic plaques as well as in adipose tissue M1/M2 mixed macrophages. TLE1 silencing in alternative macrophages decreases the expression of the M2 markers IL-1Ra and IL-10, while it exacerbates TNFα and CCL3 induction by lipopolysaccharide. Hence, TLE1 is expressed in human macrophages where it has potential anti-inflammatory and alternative phenotype promoting properties.

M1 and M2 macrophage proteolytic and angiogenic profile analysis in atherosclerotic patients reveals a distinctive profile in type 2 diabetes.

This study aimed to investigate atherosclerotic mediators' expression levels in M1 and M2 macrophages and to focus on the influence of diabetes on M1/M2 profiles. Macrophages from 36 atherosclerotic patients (19 diabetics and 17 non-diabetics) were cultured with interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) or IL-4 to induce M1 or M2 phenotype, respectively. The atherosclerotic mediators' expression was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that M1 and M2 macrophages differentially expressed mediators involved in proteolysis and angiogenesis processes. The proteolytic balance (matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), MMP-9/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and MMP-9/tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) ratios) was higher in M1 versus M2, whereas M2 macrophages presented higher angiogenesis properties (increased vascular endothelial growth factor/TFPI-2 and tissue factor/TFPI-2 ratios). Moreover, M1 macrophages from diabetics displayed more important proangiogenic and proteolytic activities than non-diabetics. This study reveals that M1 and M2 macrophages could differentially modulate major atherosclerosis-related pathological processes. Moreover, M1 macrophages from diabetics display a deleterious phenotype that could explain the higher plaque vulnerability observed in these subjects.

Von Willebrand factor as a biological sensor of blood flow to monitor percutaneous aortic valve interventions.

RATIONALE: Percutaneous aortic valve procedures are a major breakthrough in the management of patients with aortic stenosis. Residual gradient and residual aortic regurgitation are major predictors of midterm and long-term outcome after percutaneous aortic valve procedures. We hypothesized that (1) induction/recovery of high molecular weight (HMW) multimers of von Willebrand factor defect could be instantaneous after acute changes in blood flow, (2) a bedside point-of-care assay (platelet function analyzer-closure time adenine DI-phosphate [PFA-CADP]), reflecting HMW multimers changes, could be used to monitor in real-time percutaneous aortic valve procedures. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the time course of HMW multimers changes in models and patients with instantaneous induction/reversal of pathological high shear and its related bedside assessment. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated the time course of the induction/recovery of HMW multimers defects under instantaneous changes in shear stress in an aortic stenosis rabbit model and in patients undergoing implantation of a continuous flow left ventricular assist device. We further investigated the recovery of HMW multimers and monitored these changes with PFA-CADP in aortic stenosis patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation or balloon valvuloplasty. Experiments in the aortic stenosis rabbit model and in left ventricular assist device patients demonstrated that induction/recovery of HMW multimers occurs within 5 minutes. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients experienced an acute decrease in shear stress and a recovery of HMW multimers within minutes of implantation which was sustained overtime. In patients with residual high shear or with residual aortic regurgitation, no recovery of HMW multimers was observed. PFA-CADP profiles mimicked HMW multimers recovery both in transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients without aortic regurgitation (correction) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients with aortic regurgitation or balloon valvuloplasty patients (no correction). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that variations in von Willebrand factor multimeric pattern are highly dynamic, occurring within minutes after changes in blood flow. It also demonstrates that PFA-CADP can evaluate in real time the results of transcatheter aortic valve procedures.

Successful orthotopic transplantation of short tracheal segments without immunosuppressive therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Results of tracheal transplantation have been disappointing due to of ischaemia and rejection. It has been experimentally demonstrated that results of tracheal autograft/allograft transplantation were correlated with both graft length and revascularization method. Recently, we demonstrated that heterotopic epithelium-denuded-cryopreserved tracheal allograft (TA) displayed satisfactory immune tolerance. We aimed at evaluating the results of such allografts in orthotopic transplantation according to graft length and prior heterotopic or single-stage orthotopic revascularization in a rabbit model. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand rabbits were used. Six females served as donors. Tracheal mucosa was mechanically peeled off and then the TAs were cryopreserved. Male recipients were divided into three groups receiving: (i) long TA segment with prior heterotopic revascularization (10-12 tracheal rings, n = 3); (ii) average TA segment with single-stage orthotopic revascularization (6-8 tracheal rings, n = 4); (iii) short TA segment with single-stage orthotopic revascularization (4-5 tracheal rings, n = 7). No immunosuppressive therapy was administered. Grafts were assessed bronchoscopically and upon death or sacrifice by macroscopic evaluation, histology and immunohistochemical staining for apoptosis. RESULTS: Four animals were sacrificed from Day 33 to Day 220. The survival time of other recipients was 0-47 days (mean 19.6 ± 16.7 days). Aside from three animals that died from complications, all TA segments had satisfactory stiffness, were well vascularized, showed varying levels of neoangiogenesis and inflammatory infiltration devoid of lymphocytes, and showed evidence of only low levels of apoptosis. Varying degrees of fibroblastic proliferation originating from the lamina propria were observed in the lumen of all TAs and evolved over time into collagenized fibrosis in animals surviving over 45 days. Likewise, cartilage tracheal rings exhibited central calcification deposits, which started on Day 16 and increased over time. Epithelial regeneration was constantly observed. Intense fibroblastic proliferation led to stenosis in all animals from Groups (i) and (ii) but only one of seven animals from Group (iii). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that short segments of epithelium-denuded-cryopreserved TA may be reliable for tracheal transplantation in the rabbit model without problems related to graft stiffness or immune rejection. Before considering clinical applications, investigations should be conducted in larger mammals.