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Giuli L, Pallozzi M, Venturini G, Gasbarrini A, Ponziani FR, Santopaolo F. Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Vascular Liver Diseases: Focus on Thrombosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12754. [PMID: 37628933 PMCID: PMC10454315 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular liver disorders (VLDs) comprise a wide spectrum of clinical-pathological entities that primarily affect the hepatic vascular system of both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. VLDs more frequently involve the portal and the hepatic veins, as well as liver sinusoids, resulting in an imbalance of liver homeostasis with serious consequences, such as the development of portal hypertension and liver fibrosis. Surprisingly, many VLDs are characterized by a prothrombotic phenotype. The molecular mechanisms that cause thrombosis in VLD are only partially explained by the alteration in the Virchow's triad (hypercoagulability, blood stasis, and endothelial damage) and nowadays their pathogenesis is incompletely described and understood. Studies about this topic have been hampered by the low incidence of VLDs in the general population and by the absence of suitable animal models. Recently, the role of coagulation imbalance in liver disease has been postulated as one of the main mechanisms linked to fibrogenesis, so a novel interest in vascular alterations of the liver has been renewed. This review provides a detailed analysis of the current knowledge of molecular mechanisms of VLD. We also focus on the promising role of anticoagulation as a strategy to prevent liver complications and to improve the outcome of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Giuli
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie Dell’Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (M.P.); (G.V.); (F.R.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Maria Pallozzi
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie Dell’Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (M.P.); (G.V.); (F.R.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Giulia Venturini
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie Dell’Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (M.P.); (G.V.); (F.R.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie Dell’Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (M.P.); (G.V.); (F.R.P.); (F.S.)
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Ponziani
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie Dell’Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (M.P.); (G.V.); (F.R.P.); (F.S.)
| | - Francesco Santopaolo
- Hepatology Unit, CEMAD Centro Malattie Dell’Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (M.P.); (G.V.); (F.R.P.); (F.S.)
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Palyu E, Harsfalvi J, Tornai T, Papp M, Udvardy M, Szekeres-Csiki K, Pataki L, Vanhoorelbeke K, Feys HB, Deckmyn H, Tornai I. Major Changes of von Willebrand Factor Multimer Distribution in Cirrhotic Patients with Stable Disease or Acute Decompensation. Thromb Haemost 2018; 118:1397-1408. [PMID: 29972862 PMCID: PMC6202934 DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1661393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background
There is an unstable balance between pro- and anti-haemostatic processes in patients with cirrhosis. We hypothesized, that in patients with acute decompensation (AD) the major alterations of von Willebrand factor (VWF) could contribute to the pro-thrombotic situation as compared to patients with stable (ST) cirrhosis.
Patients and Methods
We analysed different parameters of VWF, including detailed multimer distribution by densitometry and platelet adhesion, together with
ad
isintegrin-like
a
nd
m
etalloproteinase with
t
hrombo
s
pondin type-1 motifs
13
(ADAMTS13) activity and antigen and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with ST cirrhosis (
n
= 99), with AD (
n
= 54) and controls (
n
= 92).
Results
VWF antigen, ristocetin co-factor as well as collagen-binding activities were elevated in both cirrhotic groups in a stepwise manner. There was a decrease in high and an increase in low molecular weight multimer ratios in the majority of ST cirrhosis. However, in 24 out of 54 AD patients, ultra-large VWF multimers (ultra-large molecular weight multimers [ULMWM]) were found. ADAMTS13 activity in ST and AD patients without ULMWM was similar to controls (median [interquartile range; IQR]%: 98 [67–132] and 91 [60–110] vs. 106 [88–117], respectively). The presence of ULMWM in AD patients was associated with low ADAMTS13 activity [33 (24–49)%] and high CRP level [23 (7.1–83.6) mg/L]. Adhesion of normal platelets showed a stepwise increase in the presence of cirrhotic plasmas, reaching the highest level in AD patients with ULMWM.
Conclusion
Characteristic changes of VWF parameters are seen in ST cirrhosis. In AD patients, highly increased VWF and reduced ADAMTS13 activity could be found, along with the presence of ULMWM, which are possible markers and contributors of the disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Palyu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Jolan Harsfalvi
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamas Tornai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Maria Papp
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Miklos Udvardy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Katalin Szekeres-Csiki
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Lajos Pataki
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Karen Vanhoorelbeke
- Laboratory for Thrombosis Research, IRF Life Science, KU Leuven Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Hendrik B Feys
- Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hans Deckmyn
- Laboratory for Thrombosis Research, IRF Life Science, KU Leuven Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Istvan Tornai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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Uemura M, Fujimura Y, Ko S, Matsumoto M, Nakajima Y, Fukui H. Determination of ADAMTS13 and Its Clinical Significance for ADAMTS13 Supplementation Therapy to Improve the Survival of Patients with Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis. Int J Hepatol 2011; 2011:759047. [PMID: 21994870 PMCID: PMC3170842 DOI: 10.4061/2011/759047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2011] [Accepted: 04/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver plays a central role in hemostasis by synthesizing clotting factors, coagulation inhibitors, and fibrinolytic proteins. Liver cirrhosis (LC), therefore, impacts on both primary and secondary hemostatic mechanisms. ADAMTS13 is a metalloproteinase, produced exclusively in hepatic stellate cells, and specifically cleaves unusually large von Willebrand factor multimers (UL-VWFM). Deficiency of ADAMTS13 results in accumulation of UL-VWFM, which induces platelet clumping or thrombi under high shear stress, followed by sinusoidal microcirculatory disturbances and subsequent progression of liver injuries, eventually leading to multiorgan failure. The marked imbalance between decreased ADAMTS13 activity (ADAMTS13 : AC) and increased production of UL-VWFM indicating a high-risk state of platelet microthrombi formation was closely related to functional liver capacity, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, and intractable ascites in advanced LC. Some end-stage LC patients with extremely low ADAMTS13 : AC and its IgG inhibitor may reflect conditions similar to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or may reflect "subclinical TTP." Hence, cirrhotic patients with severe to moderate deficiency of ADAMTS13 : AC may be candidates for FFP infusion as a source of ADAMTS13 or for recombinant ADAMTS13 supplementation. Such treatments may improve the survival of patients with decompensated LC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Uemura
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Fujimura
- Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Saiho Ko
- Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Masanori Matsumoto
- Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Nakajima
- Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Fukui
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan
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Pivotal role of ADAMTS13 function in liver diseases. Int J Hematol 2010; 91:20-9. [PMID: 20054668 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-009-0481-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2009] [Revised: 12/17/2009] [Accepted: 12/21/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The liver is a major source of clotting and fibrinolytic proteins, and plays a central role in thrombo-regulation. Patients with advanced liver diseases tend to bleed because of reduced plasma levels of several clotting factors and thrombocytopenia, but they do also exhibit thrombotic complications. ADAMTS13 is a metalloproteinase, produced exclusively in hepatic stellate cells, and specifically cleaves highly multimeric von Willebrand factor (VWF). VWF plays a pivotal role in hemostasis and thrombosis, and its function is dependent on its multimeric state. Deficiency of ADAMTS13 results in accumulation of unusually large VWF multimers (UL-VWFM) in plasma, in turn induces platelet clumping or thrombi under high shear stress, followed by microcirculatory disturbances. Considering that UL-VWFM, the substrate of ADAMTS13, is produced in transformed vascular endothelial cells at sites of liver injury, decreased ADAMTS13 activity may be involved in not only sinusoidal microcirculatory disturbances, but also subsequent progression of liver injuries, eventually leading to multiorgan failure. This concept can be applied to the development or aggravation of liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, veno-occlusive disease, and adverse events after liver transplantation. These results promise to bring further understanding of the pathophysiology of liver diseases, and offer new insight for development of therapeutic strategies.
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