Assessment of Endothelial Dysfunction With Flow-Mediated Dilatation in Myeloproliferative Disorders

Primary myelofibrosis with thrombophilia as first symptom combined with thalassemia and Gilbert syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND

A 46-year-old Han man first had sigmoid sinus and transverse sinus venous thrombosis at the age of 42. At the age of 44, he once again developed thrombosis. Genetic testing showed heterozygous SERPINC1 mutation, bone marrow biopsy showed fibrosis grade 1 (MF-1), and JAK2 V617F mutation was positive, accompanied by UGT1A1 mutation and β-thalassemia gene mutation.

CASE SUMMARY

A 46-year-old Han man was first found to have sigmoid sinus and transverse sinus venous thrombosis at the age of 42 but had no individual or family thrombosis history, and he had been regularly taking warfarin anticoagulant therapy for a long period of time. At the age of 44, venous thrombosis reappeared in parts of the intrahepatic vein, main portal vein, splenic vein, and superior mesenteric vein, and his spleen was obviously enlarged. He had a history of jaundice for many years, and genetic testing revealed that he carried a heterozygous SERPINC1 mutation. Bone marrow biopsy showed multifocal fibrous tissue hyperplasia among trabeculae and focal fibrosis. He was positive for the JAK2 V617F mutation. At the same time, UGT1A1 and β-thalassemia gene mutations existed, and a SERPINC1 mutation and UGT1A1 mutation were both found in his parents.

CONCLUSION

The patient in this case had thrombophilia as the primary symptom, JAK2V617-positive myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) was the main potential cause, and hereditary AT-III deficiency may have been one of multiple secondary causes. It remains to be determined whether UGT1A1 and β-thalassemia gene mutations are related to thrombophilia. However, the clinical features of MPN in this patient were hidden, and the relevant clinical features of coexisting thalassemia and hereditary Gilbert syndrome, reported here for the first time domestically and abroad, were complicating factors, causing great difficulties for a clear diagnosis. Thus, when thrombophilia has been determined, it is necessary to screen the relevant latent problems overall. When the clinical features cannot be perfectly explained by one etiology, a relevant comprehensive examination should also be initiated from the perspective of multiple etiologies.

COVID 19 disease independently predicted endothelial dysfunction measured by flow-mediated dilatation

The systemic effects of COVID-19 disease are still largely uncertain and needs to be scrutinized with further trials. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is responsible for the majority of adverse cardiovascular events. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is easily obtainable method to assess ED accurately. It is aimed to evaluate ED by measuring FMD following COVID-19 disease. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 disease were recruited to the hospital two month after the discharge. Sex and age-matched healthy subjects were determined as the control group. Blood samples and FMD measurements were obtained from each participant. All subjects were divided into two groups according to the presence of ED determined by FMD measurements. These two groups were compared in terms of demographic features and the presence of recovered COVID-19 disease. A total of 92 subjects consisting of 59 without ED and 33 with ED were included in the study. ED (+) group was older (p = 0.015) and more likely to have hypertension (p = 0.044) and COVID-19 rate was higher in ED (+) group (p = 0.009). While neutrophil count (p = 0.047) and CRP (p = 0.036) were higher, eGFR (p = 0.044) was lower in ED (+) group. In the backward multivariable regression analysis, COVID-19 disease [OR = 3.611, 95% CI 1.069-12.198, p = 0.039] and BMI [OR = 1.122, 95% CI 1.023-1.231, p = 0.015] were independent predictors of ED. COVID-19 disease may cause ED which is the major underlying factor of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, COVID-19 disease may deteriorate the existing cardiovascular disease course. Detecting ED in the early phase or preventing by new treatment modalities may improve short and long-term outcome.

Covert Brain Infarcts in Patients with Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative Myeloproliferative Disorders

Backgrounds and Purpose. Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative disorders (Ph-negative MPD) are a rare group of hematological diseases, including three distinct pathologies: essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). They most often manifest with thrombotic complications, including cerebrovascular events. Covert brain infarcts (CBIs) are defin ed as predominantly small ischemic cerebral lesions that are detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the absence of clinical stroke events. The relationship between MPD and CBIs remains unclear. Methods. Included in the study were 103 patients with the diagnosis of Ph-MPD (according to WHO 2016 criteria) (median age—47 (35; 54) years; 67% female). In total, 38 patients had ET, 42 had PV, and 23 had PMF. They underwent clinical examination, routine laboratory analyses (complete blood count), brain MRI, ultrasound carotid artery, flow-mediated dilatation (as a measure of endothelial dysfunction—FMD). Results. Overall, 23 patients experienced an ischemic stroke (as per MRI and/or clinical history), of which 16 (15.5%) could be classified as CBIs. The rate of CBIs per MPD subtype was statistically non-significant between groups (p = 0.35): ET–13.2%, PV–21.4%, and PMF–8.7%. The major vascular risk factors, including arterial hypertension, carotid atherosclerosis, and prior venous thrombosis, were not associated with CBIs (p > 0.05). Age was significantly higher in patients with CBIs compared to patients without MRI ischemic lesions: 50 (43; 57) years vs. 36 (29; 48) (p = 0.002). The frequency of headaches was comparable between the two groups. CBIs were associated with endothelial dysfunction (OR - 0.71 (95% CI: 0.49–0.90; p = 0.02)) and higher hemoglobin levels (OR—1.21 (95% CI: 1.06–1.55); p =0.03). Conclusions. CBIs are common in patients with Ph-negative MPD. Arterial hypertension and carotid atherosclerosis were not associated with CBIs in this group of patients. The most significant factors in the development of CBIs were endothelial dysfunction (as measured by FMD) and high hemoglobin levels. Patients with Ph-negative MPD and CBIs were older and had more prevalent endothelial dysfunction.

Comparative Mutational Profiling of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells and Circulating Endothelial Cells (CECs) in Patients with Primary Myelofibrosis

A role of endothelial cells (ECs) in Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF) was supposed since JAK2 mutation was found in endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) and in ECs captured by laser microdissection. By Cell Search method, the circulating endothelial cells (CECs) from 14 PMF patients and 5 healthy controls have been isolated and compared by NGS with CD34+Hematopoietic stem and progenitors cells (HSPCs) for panel of 54 myeloid-associated mutations. PMF patients had higher levels of CECs. No mutation was found in HSPCs and CECs from controls, while CECs from PMF patients presented several somatic mutations. 72% of evaluable patients shared at least one mutation between HSPCs and CECs. 2 patients shared the JAK2 mutation, together with ABL1, IDH1, TET2 and ASXL1, KMT2A, respectively. 6 out of 8 shared only NON MPN-driver mutations: TET2 and NOTCH1 in one case; individual paired mutations in TP53, KIT, SRSF2, NOTCH1 and WT1, in the other cases. In conclusion, 70% of PMF patients shared at least one mutation between HSPCs and CECs. These latter harbored several myeloid-associated mutations, besides JAK2V617F mutation. Our results support a primary involvement of EC in PMF and provide a new methodological approach for further studies exploring the role of the “neoplastic” vascular niche.

Two Cases of Severe Hypertension in JAK2 Mutation-Positive Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Background

Myeloproliferative neoplasms are a heterogeneous group of disorders resulting from the abnormal proliferation of one or more terminal myeloid cells—established complications include thrombosis and haemorrhagic events; however, there is limited evidence to suggest an association with arterial hypertension. Herein, we report two independent cases of severe hypertension in JAK2 mutation-positive myeloproliferative neoplasms. Case Presentations. Case 1: a 39-year-old male was referred to our specialist hypertension unit with high blood pressure (BP) (200/120 mmHg), erythromelalgia, and headaches. We recorded elevated serum creatinine levels (146 μM) and panmyelosis. Bone marrow biopsy confirmed JAK2-mutation-positive polycythaemia vera. Renal imaging revealed renal artery stenosis. Aspirin, long-acting nifedipine, interferon-alpha 2A, and renal artery angioplasty were employed in management. BP reached below target levels to an average of 119/88 mmHg. Renal parameters normalised gradually alongside BP. Case 2: a 45-year-old male presented with high BP (208/131 mmHg), acrocyanosis, (vasculitic) skin rashes, and nonhealing ulcers. Fundoscopy showed optic disc blurring in the left eye and full blood count revealed thrombocytosis. Bone marrow biopsy confirmed JAK2-mutation-positive essential thrombocytosis. No renal artery stenosis was found. Cardiac output was measured at 5 L/min using an inert gas rebreathing method, providing an estimated peripheral vascular resistance of 1840 dynes/s/cm⁵. BP was well-controlled (reaching 130/70 mmHg) with CCBs.

Conclusions

These presentations highlight the utility of full blood count analysis in patients with severe hypertension. Hyperviscosity and constitutive JAK-STAT activation are amongst the proposed pathophysiology linking myeloproliferative neoplasms and hypertension. Further experimental and clinical research is necessary to identify and understand possible interactions between BP and myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Addressing and proposing solutions for unmet clinical needs in the management of myeloproliferative neoplasm-associated thrombosis: A consensus-based position paper

This article presents the results of a group discussion among an ad hoc constituted Panel of experts aimed at highlighting unmet clinical needs (UCNs) in the management of thrombotic risk and thrombotic events associated with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-neg MPNs). With the Delphi technique, the challenges in Ph-neg MPN-associated thrombosis were selected. The most clinically relevant UCNs resulted in: (1) providing evidence of the benefits and risks of direct oral anticoagulants, (2) providing evidence of the benefits and risks of cytoreduction in patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis without hypercythemia, (3) improving knowledge of the role of the mutated endothelium in the pathogenesis of thrombosis, (4) improving aspirin dosing regimens in essential thrombocythemia, (5) improving antithrombotic management of Ph-neg MPN-associated pregnancy, (6) providing evidence for the optimal duration of anticoagulation for prophylaxis of recurrent VTE, (7) improving knowledge of the association between somatic gene mutations and risk factors for thrombosis, and (8) improving the grading system of thrombosis risk in polycythemia vera. For each of these issues, proposals for advancement in research and clinical practice were addressed. Hopefully, this comprehensive overview will serve to inform the design and implementation of new studies in the field.