Thrombin generation and activated protein C resistance in patients with essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera

Blood. 2008 Nov 15;112(10):4061-8. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-06-164087. Epub 2008 Sep 3.

Abstract

We used the thrombin generation assay to evaluate the hypercoagulable state according to JAK2(V617F) mutational status in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) patients. Thrombin generation was determined in the presence and absence of activated protein C (APC), and APC resistance was expressed as normalized APC sensitivity ratio (nAPCsr). Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), total and free protein S (PS), prothrombin (FII), factor V (FV), and neutrophil elastase were measured in plasma; CD11b was measured on neutrophils. Compared with normal controls, patients had a lower endogenous thrombin potential in the absence of APC but had a higher endogenous thrombin potential in the presence of APC, showing the occurrence of APC resistance. The nAPCsr increased in JAK2(V617F) carriers compared with noncarriers and was highest in JAK2(V617F) homozygous patients. FII, FV, free PS, and TFPI levels were reduced in patients, mainly in JAK2(V617F) carriers. Multiple regression analysis indicated the low free PS level as major determinant of the increased nAPCsr. Elastase was increased in patients and inversely correlated with free PS. In conclusion, these data indicate the occurrence of acquired APC resistance in ET and PV patients, probably because of a reduction in free PS levels. The APC-resistant phenotype is influenced by the JAK2(V617F) mutational load.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • CD11b Antigen
  • Factor V / genetics
  • Factor V / metabolism
  • Female
  • Heterozygote
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 2 / genetics
  • Janus Kinase 2 / metabolism*
  • Leukocyte Elastase / genetics
  • Leukocyte Elastase / metabolism
  • Lipoproteins / genetics
  • Lipoproteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation, Missense*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Polycythemia Vera / enzymology*
  • Polycythemia Vera / genetics
  • Protein C / genetics
  • Protein C / metabolism*
  • Protein S / genetics
  • Protein S / metabolism
  • Prothrombin / genetics
  • Prothrombin / metabolism
  • Thrombin / genetics
  • Thrombin / metabolism*
  • Thrombocythemia, Essential / enzymology*
  • Thrombocythemia, Essential / genetics

Substances

  • CD11b Antigen
  • ITGAM protein, human
  • Lipoproteins
  • Protein C
  • Protein S
  • lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor
  • Factor V
  • Prothrombin
  • JAK2 protein, human
  • Janus Kinase 2
  • Leukocyte Elastase
  • Thrombin