Quantitative trait locus for protein C in a family with thrombophilia

Low intraindividual variability of activated partial thromboplastin time revealed in a population of 10,487 control individuals

The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is a routine coagulation test that reflects the activities of multiple coagulation proteins. Given the known genetic elements underlying the different coagulation factor activities, a low intraindividual variability is expected in aPTT values, but has not been demonstrated in a large population. In this regard, we evaluated the intraindividual variability of aPTT by analyzing serial aPTTs from a large population. The study population consisted of control individuals who had three or more consecutive aPTT values at at least 6-month intervals at a single institution. The coefficient of variation of serial aPTT values was determined in each control individual, and the mean value of the coefficient of variations in the control population was calculated. The aPTT values from a total of 10,487 individuals [mean age 57 years (range 21-93 years); male-to-female ratio 1 : 0.9] were included. The mean value of the coefficient of variation of aPTTs in those individuals was 3.75%, which indicates a very low intraindividual variability. This is the first study to demonstrate a low intraindividual variability of aPTT in a large population. The result supports the previous notion that aPTT is a genetically determined parameter and has potential clinical implications.

A genome-wide association study of the Protein C anticoagulant pathway

The Protein C anticoagulant pathway regulates blood coagulation by preventing the inadequate formation of thrombi. It has two main plasma components: protein C and protein S. Individuals with protein C or protein S deficiency present a dramatically increased incidence of thromboembolic disorders. Here, we present the results of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for protein C and protein S plasma levels in a set of extended pedigrees from the Genetic Analysis of Idiopathic Thrombophilia (GAIT) Project. A total number of 397 individuals from 21 families were typed for 307,984 SNPs using the Infinium® 317 k Beadchip (Illumina). Protein C and protein S (free, functional and total) plasma levels were determined with biochemical assays for all participants. Association with phenotypes was investigated through variance component analysis. After correcting for multiple testing, two SNPs for protein C plasma levels (rs867186 and rs8119351) and another two for free protein S plasma levels (rs1413885 and rs1570868) remained significant on a genome-wide level, located in and around the PROCR and the DNAJC6 genomic regions respectively. No SNPs were significantly associated with functional or total protein S plasma levels, although rs1413885 from DNAJC6 showed suggestive association with the functional protein S phenotype, possibly indicating that this locus plays an important role in protein S metabolism. Our results provide evidence that PROCR and DNAJC6 might play a role in protein C and free protein S plasma levels in the population studied, warranting further investigation on the role of these loci in the etiology of venous thromboembolism and other thrombotic diseases.

High levels of protein C are determined by PROCR haplotype 3

BACKGROUND

Genetic determinants of plasma levels of protein C (PC) are poorly understood. Recently, we identified a locus on chromosome 20 determining high PC levels in a large Dutch pedigree with unexplained thrombophilia. Candidate genes in the LOD-1 support interval included FOXA2, THBD and PROCR.

OBJECTIVES

To examine these candidate genes and their influence on plasma levels of PC.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Exons, promoter and 3'UTR of the candidate genes were sequenced in 12 family members with normal to high PC levels. Four haplotypes of PROCR, two SNPs in the neighboring gene EDEM2 and critical SNPs encountered during resequencing were genotyped in the family and in a large group of healthy individuals (the Leiden Thrombophilia Study (LETS) controls). Soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR) and soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) plasma levels were measured in the family.

RESULTS

PROCR haplotype 3 (H3) and FOXA2 rs1055080 were associated with PC levels in the family but only PROCR H3 was also associated with plasma levels in the healthy individuals. Carriers of both variants had higher PC levels than carriers of only PROCR H3 in the family but not in healthy individuals, suggesting that a second determinant is present. EDEM2 SNPs were associated with PC levels, but their effect was small. PC and sEPCR levels were associated in both studies. sTM was not associated with variations of THBD or PC levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Chromosome 20 harbors genetic determinants of PC and sEPCR levels and the analysis of candidate genes suggests that the PROCR locus is responsible.