The genetics of venous thromboembolism: a systematic review of thrombophilia families

Genome-wide association study-driven identification of thrombomodulin and factor V as the best biomarker combination for deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a clinically significant condition characterized by the formation of thrombi in deep venous structures, leading to high morbidity and potential mortality. Identifying reliable biomarkers for DVT risk prediction remains challenging due to the intricate genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the disease. This study aims to investigate the best biomarker for DVT. Our study utilized genome-wide association studies (GWAS) findings coupled with a functional annotation scoring system to identify and prioritize genetic markers with strong associations to DVT. Furthermore, gene expression levels were analyzed to determine the most promising genetic markers. Several databases were utilized, including the GWAS Catalog, HaploReg 4.2, WebGestalt, Enrichr, and the GTEx Portal. Through the comprehensive analysis, we found 5 potential biomarkers and highlighted thrombomodulin (THBD) and Factor V (F5) as the best blood-based biomarkers. THBD and F5 genes were selected based on their elevated expression levels in blood and the presence of eQTLs. Functionally, THBD modulates coagulation via protein C activation, while F5 is pivotal in thrombin formation and clot stabilization, underscoring their mechanistic relevance to DVT pathogenesis, and rendering them suitable for non-invasive clinical assessment. Our findings emphasize the potential of genetic biomarkers to transform DVT risk assessment and support advancements in precision medicine for thrombotic disorders.

Whole genome sequencing identifies pathogenic genetic variants in Han Chinese patients with familial venous thromboembolism

Genetic factors play a pivotal role in determining venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk, particularly in cases of unprovoked early-onset VTE and those with a family history. While genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has advanced our understanding, high-quality whole-genome sequencing (WGS) from family-based studies is essential to elucidate the role of rare variants. In this study, we performed WGS on 216 individuals from 35 Han Chinese VTE pedigrees and validated findings in 99 high-heritability VTE cases using whole-exome sequencing. Functional impact was assessed via qPCR and Western Blot in HEK293T cells. Classical genes explained partial familial inheritance (20/35), while non-classical genes showed comparable effects on VTE recurrence and CTEPH. From 36 rare variants, 34 pedigrees (97%) were interpreted, with 29 variants reported for the first time. Notably, three novel variants, GP6 (c.G1094A:p.R365H), TET2 (c.G3451T:p.E1151X), and JAK2 (c.G380A:p.G127D), shared in two unrelated pedigrees each and are classified as low frequency in East Asians. Functional analyses revealed significant changes in GP6 and TET2 expression compared to the wild type. These findings provide novel insights into the genetic architecture of VTE and highlight GP6, TET2, and JAK2 as potential risk factors in East Asian populations, underscoring the clinical relevance of rare variants in VTE pathogenesis.

Genetic factors, risk prediction and AI application of thrombotic diseases

In thrombotic diseases, coagulation, anticoagulation, and fibrinolysis are three key physiological processes that interact to maintain blood in an appropriate state within blood vessels. When these processes become imbalanced, such as excessive coagulation or reduced anticoagulant function, it can lead to the formation of blood clots. Genetic factors play a significant role in the onset of thrombotic diseases and exhibit regional and ethnic variations. The decision of whether to initiate prophylactic anticoagulant therapy is a matter that clinicians must carefully consider, leading to the development of various thrombotic risk assessment scales in clinical practice. Given the considerable heterogeneity in clinical diagnosis and treatment, researchers are exploring the application of artificial intelligence in medicine, including disease prediction, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and patient management. This paper reviews the research progress on various genetic factors involved in thrombotic diseases, analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of commonly used thrombotic risk assessment scales and the characteristics of ideal scoring scales, and explores the application of artificial intelligence in the medical field, along with its future prospects.

The association of the prothrombin A19911G single-nucleotide polymorphism and the risk of venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The study employed meta-analysis to provide a comprehensive synthesis of evidence regarding the association between the prothrombin A19911G polymorphism and the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

METHOD

The databases were searched to identify studies investigating the association between the prothrombin A19911G polymorphism and the risk of VTE. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 14.0 software.

RESULTS

A total of five literature studies were included, involving 14,001 participants. Meta-analysis demonstrated that prothrombin A19911G polymorphism increased the risk of VTE (G vs A: OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.11-1.22, p < .00001; GG + AG vs AA: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.13-1.31, p < .00001; GG vs AG + AA: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.14-1.33, p < .00001; AG vs AA: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.06-1.25, p = .0006; GG vs AA: OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.22-1.48, p < .00001).

CONCLUSION

The polymorphism of prothrombin A19911G enhances the susceptibility to VTE.

Proteome-wide mendelian randomization identifies causal plasma proteins in venous thromboembolism development

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous risk loci for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but it is challenging to decipher the underlying mechanisms. We employed an integrative analytical pipeline to transform genetic associations to identify novel plasma proteins for VTE. Proteome-wide association studies (PWAS) were determined by functional summary-based imputation leveraging data from a genome-wide association analysis (14,429 VTE patients, 267,037 controls), blood proteomes (1348 cases), followed by Mendelian randomization, Bayesian colocalization, protein-protein interaction, and pathway enrichment analysis. Twenty genetically regulated circulating protein abundances (F2, F11, ABO, PLCG2, LRP4, PLEK, KLKB1, PROC, KNG1, THBS2, SERPINA1, RARRES2, CEL, GP6, SERPINE2, SERPINA10, OBP2B, EFEMP1, F5, and MSR1) were associated with VTE. Of these 13 proteins demonstrated Mendelian randomized correlations. Six proteins (F2, F11, PLEK, SERPINA1, RARRES2, and SERPINE2) had strong support in colocalization analysis. Utilizing multidimensional data, this study suggests PLEK, SERPINA1, and SERPINE2 as compelling proteins that may provide key hints for future research and possible diagnostic and therapeutic targets for VTE.

Association between uric acid and risk of venous thromboembolism in East Asian populations: a cohort and Mendelian randomization study

Background

Serum uric acid (SUA) levels have been associated with an increased risk and recurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in European populations, but the potential causal relationship remains unclear. Large-scale studies on the association between SUA and VTE in East Asian populations are lacking, despite the high prevalence of hyperuricemia in this region. To address this, we conducted a cohort analysis and a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study in East Asian populations.

Methods

We collected data on VTE patients from the China Pulmonary Thromboembolism Registry Study (CURES) and compared them to controls obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS). Propensity score matching (PSM) and cubic-spline models were applied to assess the effect of SUA on VTE risk while adjusting for multiple covariates. We also performed two-sample MR analyses to infer potential causality based on summary statistics from Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) of SUA and VTE in the East Asian population.

Findings

We found that the SUA levels were higher in VTE patients (317.95 mmol/L) compared to the general population (295.75 mmol/L), and SUA ≥ 325 mmol/L was associated with an increased risk of VTE recurrence (P-value = 0.0001). The univariable MR suggested a causal relationship between elevated SUA and higher VTE risk (Pinverse variance weighted < 0.05), and multivariable MR showed that elevated SUA levels continued to promote the development of VTE after adjusting for multiple covariates (Pmultivariable residual < 0.05). Sensitivity analyses produced similar results for these estimations.

Interpretation

Our study provides evidence supporting a robust positive association between SUA and VTE in the East Asian population, and MR analyses suggest that this association is likely to be causal. Our findings underscore the importance of monitoring SUA levels in VTE prevention and call for urgent action to address the growing burden of hyperuricemia in the Asia-Pacific region.

Funding

This research was funded by Beijing Nova Program (No. Z211100002121057), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82100065 and No. 62350004), CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (No. 2021-I2M-1-061 and No. 2021-1-I2M-001), Elite Medical Professionals project of China-Japan Friendship Hospital (No. ZRJY2021-QM12), National Key Research and Development Project (No. 2021YFF1201200 and No. 2022YFC3341004).

Human induced pluripotent stem cells derived from a patient with a mutation of SERPINC1 c.236G>A (p.R79H)

Mutation of SERPINC1 is related to the incidence of Inherited antithrombin (AT) deficiency. In this study, we generated a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a patient with a mutation of SERPINC1 c.236G>A (p.R79H). The generated iPSCs express pluripotent cell markers with no mycoplasma contamination. Besides, it has a normal female karyotype and could differentiate into all three germ layers in vitro.

Rapid identification of a pathogenic variant of PROS1 in a thrombophilic family by whole exome sequencing: A case report

RATIONALE

Venous thrombosis remains a significant problem in modern days. Genetic factors contribute to a subset of patients with venous thrombosis. It is sometimes challenging to identify the underlying culprit in thrombophilic individuals based on traditional laboratory testing and Sanger sequencing.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A thrombophilic family presented with multiple venous thrombosis was examined.

DIAGNOSES

Molecular genetic analysis revealed a pathogenic missense variant of the PROS1 gene. Based on this finding and clinical manifestations, a final diagnosis of protein S deficiency was made.

INTERVENTIONS

Whole exome sequencing (WES) of the proband was performed to identify disease-causing variants. Subsequently, Sanger sequencing was performed to validate the variant in the affected members.

OUTCOMES

Using WES, we rapidly identified a proven pathogenic missense variant (c.1543C > T, p.Arg515Cys) in the sex hormone-binding globulin domain of PROS1, which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The decreased level and activity of protein S caused by the variant explained the phenotypes of the family. Patients received rivaroxaban as a long-term anticoagulation therapy and achieved a good prognosis.

LESSONS

Our study suggests WES as a rapid search strategy to identify the genetic factors underlying thrombophilic disorders. Patients with venous thrombosis caused by PROS1 mutations could receive rivaroxaban as the first choice of anticoagulation therapy.