Factor V New Brunswick: Ala221Val associated with FV deficiency reproduced in vitro and functionally characterized

Factor V (FV) deficiency, also known as parahemophilia, is a rare bleeding disorder. Herein we investigate the first reported missense mutation associated with FV deficiency, Ala221Val, assigned as FV New Brunswick. To elucidate the molecular pathology associated with the Ala221Val substitution, the mutation was recreated in a recombinant system together with 3 FV mutants (Ala221Gly, Glu275Gln, and Cys220Ala/Cys301Ala) designed to help explain the Ala221Val phenotype. The expression pattern was analyzed by pulse-chase experiments and an FV-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the results suggesting the Ala221Val mutation not to interfere with the synthesis or secretion. The functional properties of the recombinant FV New Brunswick were evaluated in both plasma clotting and purified systems. The Ala221Val mutation did not affect the factor Xa (FXa) cofactor function; nor did it interfere with the activated protein C (APC)-mediated down-regulation of activated FV (FVa) activity. However, FV New Brunswick demonstrated reduced stability at 37 degrees C due to an increased rate of dissociation of light and heavy chains of FVa. In conclusion, this in vitro study of FV New Brunswick suggests the Ala221Val mutation not to impair synthesis and expression of procoagulant activity, indicating overall proper folding of the mutant molecule. Rather, the Ala221Val substitution appears to interfere with the stability of the activated FVa mutant, the reduced stability possibly explaining the deficiency symptoms associated with the mutation.

Severe factor V deficiency: exon skipping in the factor V gene causing a partial deletion of the C1 domain

BACKGROUND

Severe factor V (FV) deficiency is a rare coagulation disorder, characterized by very low or unmeasurable plasma levels of functional and immunoreactive FV. Among rare inherited coagulopathies, FV deficiency is the least characterized from a molecular point of view (only 12 mutations have been reported).

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this work was to investigate, at the molecular level, the pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for a case of severe FV deficiency.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 19-year-old Iranian man showing unmeasurable FV activity and severely reduced FV antigen level in plasma was studied. Mutation screening was performed by sequencing. The effect of the identified mutation was investigated both at the mRNA and at the protein level.

RESULTS

Molecular analysis of the factor V (FV) gene identified a novel homozygous A-->T transversion at position + 3 of the donor splice site of intron 19 (IVS19 + 3A-->T). Production of mutant mRNA in HeLa cells demonstrated that this mutation causes the entire exon 19 to be skipped from the FV mRNA. The mutant processed transcript codes for a deleted FV, lacking the first 24 amino acids of the C1 domain. Expression of the mutant FV protein in COS-1 cells showed that the deleted protein was synthesized but not secreted; moreover, the intracellular amount of deleted FV was reduced compared to wild type, suggesting intracellular degradation of mutant FV.

CONCLUSIONS

This work reports the molecular characterization of the first mutation causing a partial deletion in the FV molecule, resulting in a severe impairment of protein secretion.

Bleeding due to disruption of a cargo-specific ER-to-Golgi transport complex

Mutations in LMAN1 (also called ERGIC-53) result in combined deficiency of factor V and factor VIII (F5F8D), an autosomal recessive bleeding disorder characterized by coordinate reduction of both clotting proteins. LMAN1 is a mannose-binding type 1 transmembrane protein localized to the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC; refs. 2,3), suggesting that F5F8D could result from a defect in secretion of factor V and factor VIII (ref. 4). Correctly folded proteins destined for secretion are packaged in the ER into COPII-coated vesicles, which subsequently fuse to form the ERGIC. Secretion of certain abundant proteins suggests a default pathway requiring no export signals (bulk flow; refs. 6,7). An alternative mechanism involves selective packaging of secreted proteins with the help of specific cargo receptors. The latter model would be consistent with mutations in LMAN1 causing a selective block to export of factor V and factor VIII. But approximately 30% of individuals with F5F8D have normal levels of LMAN1, suggesting that mutations in another gene may also be associated with F5F8D. Here we show that inactivating mutations in MCFD2 cause F5F8D with a phenotype indistinguishable from that caused by mutations in LMAN1. MCFD2 is localized to the ERGIC through a direct, calcium-dependent interaction with LMAN1. These findings suggest that the MCFD2-LMAN1 complex forms a specific cargo receptor for the ER-to-Golgi transport of selected proteins.

Absence of Factor V Leiden, thrombomodulin and prothrombin gene variants in Black South African women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia

It has been suggested that gene aberrations may contribute to vascular endothelial dysfunction of pre-eclampsia in Caucasian and Japanese women. This study was undertaken to examine the association between pre-eclampsia in Black Zulu speaking South African women and the Factor 5 Leiden mutation. 100 patients with pre-eclampsia comprised the study group. The control group comprised 110 normotensive pregnant women of the same population group. Genotyping was performed to detect the G or A allele at residue 506 of the Factor V gene, and the C or T allele at residue 455 of the thrombomodulin gene. Our findings demonstrate that these particularly genetic loci are of little use in disease association studies for pre-eclampsia in homogenous Zulu speaking Africans.

[Identification of a novel mutation of human blood coagulation FV gene associated with congenital FV deficiency]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the molecular mechanisms involved in the patient with congenital FV deficiency.

METHODS

Activity of FV was determined by biochemical method. The PCR products of FV gene was analysed by directly sequencing or sequencing after cloned into T-vector. The mutative FV gene was analysed by restriction enzyme analysis in the proband and her family members.

RESULTS

A homozygous missense mutation G5729T resulting in Gly1880Val was revealed in the proband and confirmed in the family screening. Structure-function studies of the factor V mutants (Gly1880Val) demonstrated the importance of Gly1880 for structural stability of the Factor V.

CONCLUSION

G5729T mutation of FV gene is related to the pathogenesis of congenital FV deficiency.

[Two novel factor V gene mutations associated with congenital coagulation factor V deficiency, study of one pedigree]

OBJECTIVE

To discover the gene mutations of a pedigree with inherited factor V (FV) deficiency.

METHODS

The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), FV activity (FV:C) and FV antigen test were adopted for phenotype diagnosis. The genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of the 16-year-old propositus, female. All the 25 exons and their flanks in the FV gene of the propositus were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were screened by direct sequencing and the mutations were further confirmed by restricted enzyme digestion. Six persons in the pedigree (grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, uncle, and aunt) were examined too. 108 healthy blood donors were used as controls.

RESULTS

The APTT, PT, FV:C, and FV:Ag of the propositus were 126.6s, 42.8s, 0.3% and 1.3% respectively. The Fbg and FII, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX activities were in normal range. FV:C of the members of the pedigree was 36% - 70%, and the FV:Ag of the pedigree members was 26.4% - 45.3% that of the mixture of 30 normal plasma samples. Taking the GeneBank Z99572 sequence as the reference, totally five variations in the FV gene were found in the propositus. The mutations, A1348G and 4887 approximately 8delG, were traced to her father and her mother respectively. No 1348G-->T mutation was found in the 108 controls.

CONCLUSION

The FV deficiency of the propositus is caused by missense mutation of G1348T and frameshift mutation of 4887 approximately 8delG, which haven't been identified previously.

The discovery of factor V: a tricky clotting factor

The paper tells the story of how FV was discovered in 1943 and installed into the Morawitz theory, a dogma that had reigned the clotting field since 1905 without serious challenges. It is a witness to the fact, many times experienced throughout scientific history, that seminal achievements may arise from serendipity under awkward conditions. Under the worst of circumstances, only a brilliant mind, scientific curiosity and devotion, could the challenge Owren met in Mary's bleeding problem, lead to such a pivotal result. On top of establishing a new clotting factor, his work spurred an unprecedented activity in the field. The thorny road to the new factor's place and role in the clotting mechanism is depicted in some detail. But the factor turned out to be more capricious than its role in coagulation seemed to indicate. Thus, in recent times it has become clear that its platelet counterpart plays an additionally important role in hemostasis as a whole. The two polymorphisms of clinical importance discovered in platelet FV lead to a bleeding disorder, whereas one in plasma FV leads to a rather frequent venous thromboembolic state. Further surprises might therefore be expected from this chameleon of a factor - reflecting the increasingly appreciated tendency that one biological compound appears in different roles.

[A novel molecular mechanism of congenital FV deficiency: mutation in the intron acceptor splice site of human blood coagulation FV gene]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the molecular mechanism involved in patient with congenital FV deficiency.

METHODS

Activity of FV was determined by biochemical method. The PCR products of FV gene was analyzed by DNA sequencing directly or cloned into T-vector prior to DNA analysis. The mutation of FV gene in proband and his family numbers was analysed by restriction enzyme analysis. Its occurrence was investigated in the control group. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood mono1nuclear cells of the proband, male, 18 years old, and his parents. The PCR products were analyzed by direct sequencing or cloned into T-vector prior to DNA analysis. One hundred patients with different kind of hemotopathy were used as controls.

RESULTS

A single point mutation, AG-->GG was found at position 3' splice site of intron 8 of the proband. This mutation was confirmed by family screening.

CONCLUSION

A single point mutation, AG-->GG at position 3' splice site of intron 8 mutation of FV gene is related to the pathogenesis of congenital FV deficiency.

Arg2074Cys missense mutation in the C2 domain of factor V causing moderately severe factor V deficiency: molecular characterization by expression of the recombinant protein

Factor V (FV) deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder whose genetic basis has been described in a relatively small number of cases. Among a total of 12 genetic defects reported in severely or moderately severe deficient patients, 3 were missense mutations and in no case was the mechanism underlying the deficiency explored at the molecular level. In this study, a homozygous missense mutation at cDNA position 6394 in exon 23 of the FV gene was identified in a 22-year-old Italian patient. This mutation causes the replacement of arginine 2074 with a cysteine residue (Arg2074Cys) in the C2 domain of the protein. The effect of the Arg2074Cys mutation on FV secretion, stability, and activity was investigated. Site-directed mutagenesis of FV cDNA was used to introduce the identified mutation, and wild-type as well as mutant FV proteins were expressed by transient transfection in COS-1 cells. An enzyme immunoassay detected low FV antigen levels both in the conditioned media of cells expressing the mutant protein and in cell lysates. Metabolic labeling and pulse-chase experiments confirmed that the mutation caused an impaired secretion of FV associated with rapid intracellular degradation. In addition, evaluation of wild-type and mutant coagulant activity demonstrated that the FV molecules carrying the Arg2074Cys mutation have reduced activity. These findings, beside confirming the structural and functional importance of the arginine 2074 residue, demonstrate that its substitution with a cysteine impairs both FV secretion and activity.

Screening for inherited thrombophilia: indications and therapeutic implications

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In recent years knowledge concerning inherited and acquired causes of thrombophilia has increased greatly. The most common inherited traits (deficiency in antithrombin, protein C, or protein S, factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A) and mild hyperhomocysteinemia are diagnosed in at least 40% of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE).

INFORMATION SOURCES

The authors work in this field, contributing to multicenter clinical and laboratory investigations and to peer-reviewed journals with original papers. The material examined in this review includes articles published in journals covered by MedLine.

STATE OF THE ART

The associated risk for VTE is different according to genotype, being higher among the carriers of natural anticoagulant deficiencies and homozygotes for factor V Leiden. The overall prevalence of thrombophilic traits in the general population being near to 10% renders the probability of carrying multiple defects not excessively rare, with a further increase in thrombotic risk of up to 20-fold. Thus, clinical penetrance is heterogeneous, producing either mild or severe venous thrombotic manifestations, which can be unprovoked or associated with circumstantial risk factors and occur in either young or advanced age. More recently, inherited thrombophilia has been focused on as an important determinant of complications of pregnancy and puerperium. As expected, inherited thrombophilia produces an increased risk of VTE, particularly during puerperium. Moreover it is well established that thrombophilic women have an increased risk of late and/or recurrent fetal loss; whether they are at higher risk of pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and abruptio placentae is debated. Overall, 40% of women with obstetric complications other than VTE carry a thrombophilic trait. Yet, as a rule VTE and obstetric complications seem to occur in different individuals, probably because of the presence of unknown factors favoring one or other of these clinical manifestations.

CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES

Inherited thrombophilia is now viewed as a multicausal model, the clinical event being the result of gene-gene and gene-environment age-dependent interactions; the associated clinical manifestations can be heterogenous as regards severity as well as type of event (VTE or obstetric complication). Therefore the criteria for screening affected individuals who have suffered from the above complications or their relatives should not be very stringent. The patient's genotype could be a main determinant of the features of primary or secondary prophylaxis used in the affected individual.

Molecular basis of quantitative factor V deficiency associated with factor V R2 haplotype

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the quantitative factor V (FV) deficiency associated with the FV R2 haplotype, 4 missense mutations, Met385Thr, His1299Arg, Met1736Val, and Asp2194Gly, identified in the R2 haplotype allele, were analyzed by in vitro expression studies. The FV variant carrying all 4 mutations showed a markedly lower steady-state expression level than wild-type FV because of low synthesis rate and impaired secretion of the mutant protein. The Asp2194Gly mutation was found to play a key role in the impaired secretion of the mutant FV by interfering with its transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complex. The deleterious effect of the Asp2194Gly mutation was shown to be dominant among the 4 mutations. The Met385Thr mutation and His1299Arg mutation had no effect on steady-state expression levels, but the secretion rates of the mutant proteins were moderately decreased by these mutations. The His1299Arg mutation partially impaired glycosylation in the C-terminal part of the B-domain of the mutant FV, which was supposed to affect the secretion rate, but not the steady-state expression level. It was also suggested that the Met385Thr mutation partially impairs posttranslational modification of the mutant FV without affecting the steady-state expression level. No deleterious effect of the Met1736Val mutation was observed in terms of expression and intracellular processing. Our in vitro data strongly suggest that the naturally existing R2 haplotype mutant FV, which carries all 4 mutations, has the potential to result in quantitative FV deficiency in vivo owing to impaired expression of the mutant protein when the Asp2194Gly mutation is present.

Homozygous factor V splice site mutation associated with severe factor V deficiency

We investigated a family whose proband has a severe bleeding disorder and factor V antigenic and functional levels of 8% and less than 1% of control values, respectively. Molecular analysis of the factor V gene revealed a novel homozygous mutation in the last nucleotide of exon 10. 1701G>T causes activation of a cryptic exonic splice site in exon 10, which encodes part of the factor V heavy chain (A2 domain). This leads to the deletion of 35 nucleotides and results in a frameshift with a premature stop codon at amino acid position 498. The G1701 and corresponding Gln509 are conserved in murine, bovine, and porcine factor V and in human factor VIII. Few factor V deficiency mutations have been identified as yet. Several are present in the heterozygous form in combination with factor V Leiden (Arg506Gln). This is the first reported homozygous splice site mutation in a patient with factor V deficiency.

Factor V: Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde

The regulation of the delicate balance between the procoagulant and anticoagulant mechanisms is of extreme importance for survival. The procoagulant enzymatic complexes (i.e. prothrombinase, intrinsic tenase and extrinsic tenase) are similar in structure and composed of an enzyme, a cofactor, and the substrate associated on a cell surface in the presence of divalent metal ions. Factor Va and factor VIIIa, which are very similar in structure and function, are required for prothrombinase and intrinsic tenase activities respectively because both cofactors express a dual function in their respective complexes, acting as an enzyme receptor and catalytic effector on the cell surface. The cofactors derive from inactive plasma precursors by regulatory proteolytic events, which involve alpha-thrombin. In general bleeding tendencies are usually associated with defects in the activation of one of the zymogens or the cofactors of the procoagulant complexes. a-Thrombin, participates in its own down-regulation by binding to the endothelial cell receptor thrombomodulin, and initiating the protein C pathway, which in turn leads to the formation of activated protein C (APC). APC is required for efficient neutralization of factor Va cofactor activity which results in the inactivation of the prothrombin-activating complex. This inactivation can only occur in the presence of the appropriate membrane surface. APC down-regulates the prothrombinase complex by cleaving specific peptide bonds on the heavy chain of factor Va which results in the dissociation of the A2 domain of factor Va from the rest of the molecule. Irregularities in the mechanism of inactivation of factor Va by APC, are associated with thrombotic risk, presumably due to sustained prothrombin activation.

Novel factor V C2-domain mutation (R2074H) in two families with factor V deficiency and bleeding

The molecular basis of Factor V deficiency has been defined in few patients only. We report a homozygous nucleotide change (G6395A) in two Tunisian probands with Factor V deficiency and bleeding episodes. This substitution results in the replacement of an arginine (R) by a histidine (H) in amino acid position 2074, located in the Factor V C2-domain. Mutations in this protein domain have not previously been described. Several lines of evidence support that this sequence variant is indeed disease causing: 1) Crystal structures of Factor V and molecular C2-domain modeling studies of H2074 suggest that the conserved R2074 is required for correct folding; 2) Structure-function studies of selective Factor V mutants (R2074A) demonstrate the importance of R2074 for structural stability of the Factor V C2-domain and for cofactor activity (1); 3) In Factor VIII, point mutations in codon 2209, which corresponds to position 2074 in Factor V, cause hemophilia A.

Severe coagulation factor V deficiency caused by 2 novel frameshift mutations: 2952delT in exon 13 and 5493insG in exon 16 of factor 5 gene

A male infant with severe bleeding tendency had undetectable factor V activity. Sequence analysis of the proband's DNA revealed one base deletion in exon 13 (2952delT) and one base insertion in exon 16 (5493insG) in heterozygous form. Both mutations introduced a frameshift and a premature stop at codons 930 and 1776, respectively. The proband's father and mother were heterozygous for 2952delT and for 5493insG, respectively. Both mutations would result in the synthesis of truncated proteins lacking complete light chain or its C-terminal part. In the patient's plasma, no factor V light chain was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The N-terminal portion of factor V containing the heavy chain, and the connecting B domain was severely reduced but detectable (1.7%). A small amount of truncated factor V-specific protein with a molecular weight ratio of 236 kd could be immunoprecipitated from the plasma and detected by Western blotting. This protein, factor V(Debrecen), corresponds to the translated product of exon 16 mutant allele.

Coexistence of a novel homozygous nonsense mutation in exon 13 of the factor V gene with the homozygous Leiden mutation in two unrelated patients with severe factor V deficiency

A novel homozygous 3571C-->T nonsense mutation predicting the synthesis of a truncated factor V (FV) molecule was identified in exon 13 of the human coagulation factor V gene in two unrelated Italian probands with undetectable plasma levels of FV antigen and activity. Both patients were also homozygous for the FV Leiden mutation. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction studies showed strongly reduced mRNA levels of the mutant FV allele and FV heavy and light chains were not measurable in the plasma of the probands and reverse transcriptase. Haplotype analysis indicated that the nonsense mutation in both families had a common founder a long time ago.

Five novel mutations in the gene for human blood coagulation factor V associated with type I factor V deficiency

Coagulation factor V (FV) plays an important role in maintaining the hemostatic balance in both the formation of thrombin in the procoagulant pathway as well as in the protein C anticoagulant pathway. FV deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder with variable phenotypic expression. Little is known about the molecular basis underlying this disease. This study identified 5 novel mutations associated with FV deficiency in 3 patients with severe FV deficiency but different clinical expression and 2 unaffected carriers. Four mutations led to a premature termination codon either by a nonsense mutation (single-letter amino acid codes): A1102T, K310Term. (FV Amersfoort) and C2491T, Q773Term. (FV Casablanca) or a frameshift: an 8-base pair deletion between nucleotides 1130 and 1139 (FV Seoul(1)) and a 1-base pair deletion between nucleotides 4291 and 4294 (FV Utrecht). One mutation was a novel missense mutation: T1927C, C585R (FV Nijkerk), resulting in the absence of mutant protein despite normal transcription to RNA. Most likely, an arginine at this position disrupts the hydrophobic interior of the FV A2 domain. The sixth detected mutation was a previously reported missense mutation: A5279G, Y1702C (FV Seoul(2)). In all cases, the presence of the mutation was associated with type I FV deficiency. Identifying the molecular basis of mutations underlying this rare coagulation disorder will help to obtain more insight into the mechanisms involved in the variable clinical phenotype of patients with FV deficiency.

A missense mutation (Y1702C) in the coagulation factor V gene is a frequent cause of factor V deficiency in the Italian population

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Factor V (FV) deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder whose molecular bases are poorly characterized. We have recently described a FV missense mutation (Y1702C) predicting reduced FV levels in a thrombophilic patient and in a healthy individual. The aim of the present work was to assess the prevalence of the FV Y1702C mutation among subjects with FV deficiency.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Carriership of the FV Y1702C mutation was tested in 8 patients with severe FV deficiency (FV:C <8%), in 16 individuals with asymptomatic partial FV deficiency (mean FV:C 38.0%, SD 11.6%) and in 9 patients with pseudo-homozygous APC-resistance (mean FV:C 46.2%, SD 3.6%). An AccI-restriction protocol was employed for rapid mutation screening.

RESULTS

The FV Y1702C mutation was detected in two unrelated patients with unmeasurable FV levels (one being homozygous and the other doubly heterozygous for a still unknown mutation) and in one subject with partial FV deficiency (FV:C 30%). A striking difference in bleeding phenotype was observed between the homozygous patient and her asymptomatic brother with the same FV genotype. A multi-point FV haplotype analysis was performed in all unrelated carriers of the FV Y1702C mutation. Three haplotypes were found to underlie the mutation in different individuals, suggesting that it might have arisen independently more than once.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

FV Y1702C is a common cause of FV deficiency in the Italian population and might be a recurrent mutation.

Late presentation of congenital factor V deficiency--a case report

Congenital factor deficiency is a rare coagulation disorder, which is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. The severity of bleeding symptoms in general is only partially related to the degree of factor V deficiency in plasma. In this report, a boy presenting with hemarthrosis in his late adolescence due to congenital factor V deficiency is reported.

Molecular characterization of the ERGIC-53 gene in two Japanese patients with combined factor V-factor VIII deficiency

Combined deficiency of factor V and factor VIII is a distinct clinical entity and is an autosomal recessive disorder. Recently identification of the gene, the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC-53), responsible for combined factor V-factor VIII deficiency and mutations of the ERGIC-53 gene in affected patients have been reported. In this report we analyzed two Japanese patients with combined factor V-factor VIII deficiency by genomic polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis. In one patient we found a point mutation of C to T at nucleotide 604 in exon 5, resulting in a transition of arginine to stop codon, which was reported in previous reports. The DdeI digestion study demonstrated that this patient is homozygous for this nonsense mutation. In the other patient we found no mutation in the ERGIC-53 gene in analysis of the entire coding region and the intron/exon junctions, which is also consistent with the previous reports, suggesting the possibility of defects at other genetic loci.

The impact of oral anticoagulant therapy, factor VIII level and quality of factor V-deficient plasma on three commercial methods for activated protein C resistance

Several methods are now available for the laboratory assessment of activated protein C resistance (APCR). In this study, we evaluated two activated partial thromboplastin time-based assays [Coatest activated protein C (APC) and Diagen protein C activator (PCA)], with and without predilution of test plasma in factor V-deficient plasma (FVdp) and an amidolytic assay (Immuno Ltd, Vienna, Austria). Testing plasmas from normal volunteers who had received 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) also assessed the effect of elevated factor VIII on APCR. In the unmodified clotting tests, the Coatest kit gave overlapping results for normal and heterozygous FV:Q506 samples; some FV:Q506 samples on oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) were misclassified as normal, and some normal samples with high factor VIII levels would be classified as APC resistant. The unmodified Diagen kit correctly classified these three types of sample, but had the disadvantage that prolonged PCA clotting times gave serious problems with instrument end-point detection. Both kits modified by diluting the samples in FVdp correctly classified all the samples, as well as samples from patients with lupus anticoagulant (LA) and patients receiving heparin. The Immunochrom kit correctly classified the normal and FV:Q506 samples, but would have misclassified most normal persons on OAT as well as some patients with LA or receiving heparin therapy as APC resistant.