Genetic variation of platelet glycoprotein VI and the risk of venous thromboembolism

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.

Postinjury platelet aggregation and venous thromboembolism

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains prevalent in severely injured patients despite chemoprophylaxis. Importantly, although platelets are central to thrombosis, they are not routinely targeted in prevention of posttraumatic VTE. Furthermore, platelets from injured patients show ex vivo evidence of increased activation yet impaired aggregation, consistent with functional exhaustion. However, the relationship of this platelet functional phenotype with development of posttraumatic VTE is unknown. We hypothesized that, following injury, impaired ex vivo platelet aggregation (PA) is associated with the development of posttraumatic VTE.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of 133 severely injured patients from a prospective observational study investigating coagulation and inflammation (2011-2019). Platelet aggregation in response to stimulation with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen, and thrombin was measured at presentation (preresuscitation) and 24 hours (postresuscitation). Viscoelastic clot strength and lysis were measured in parallel by thromboelastography. Multivariable regression examined relationships between PA at presentation, 24 hours, and the change (δ) in PA between presentation and 24 hours with development of VTE.

RESULTS

The 133 patients were severely injured (median Injury Severity Score, 25), and 14% developed VTE (all >48 hours after admission). At presentation, platelet count and PA were not significantly different between those with and without incident VTE. However, at 24 hours, those who subsequently developed VTE had significantly lower platelet counts (126 × 10 9 /L vs. 164 × 10 9 /L, p = 0.01) and lower PA in response to ADP ( p < 0.05), collagen ( p < 0.05), and thrombin ( p = 0.06). Importantly, the magnitude of decrease in PA (δ) from presentation to 24 hours was independently associated with development of VTE (adjusted odds ratios per 10 aggregation unit decrease: δ-ADP, 1.31 [ p = 0.03]; δ-collagen, 1.36 [ p = 0.01]; δ-thrombin, 1.41 [ p < 0.01]).

CONCLUSION

Severely injured patients with decreasing ex vivo measures of PA despite resuscitation have an increased risk of developing VTE. This may have implications for predicting development of VTE and for studying platelet targeted chemoprophylaxis regimens.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic/Epidemiological; Level III.

Plasma levels of platelet-derived microvesicles are associated with risk of future venous thromboembolism

BACKGROUND

Microvesicles (MVs) are small double-membrane encapsulated particles shed from cells. Case-control studies have reported elevated plasma levels of platelet-derived MVs (PDMVs) in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, it is not known whether high PDMV levels is a risk factor or a consequence of the acute VTE event.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between PDMVs in plasma and risk of future incident VTE.

METHODS

We performed a population-based nested case-control study with 314 VTE cases and 705 age- and sex-matched controls (from The Tromsø Study) to investigate the association between the proportion of PDMVs (PDMVs%) in plasma and risk of future incident VTE. MVs isolated from plasma sampled at baseline (i.e., before VTE) were stained for platelet markers and analyzed by flow cytometry. PDMVs% were defined as the number of PDMVs divided by the total number of MVs. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for VTE risk were estimated across quartiles of PDMVs%.

RESULTS

Subjects with PDMVs% in the highest quartile had an OR for VTE of 1.78 (95% CI: 1.21-2.64) and 1.99 (95% CI: 1.24-3.26) for provoked VTE, compared to those in the lowest quartile. The association was moderately affected by multivariable adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, C-reactive protein, platelet count, and cancer. The OR for VTE was higher when the time between blood sampling and event was shorter.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that high proportions of PDMVs are associated with future risk of incident VTE and imply a role of platelet activation in the pathogenesis of VTE.

Platelet GPVI (Glycoprotein VI) and Thrombotic Complications in the Venous System

The immunoglobulin receptor GPVI (glycoprotein VI) is selectively expressed on megakaryocytes and platelets and is currently recognized as a receptor for not only collagen but also a variety of plasma and vascular proteins, including fibrin, fibrinogen, laminin, fibronectin, and galectin-3. Deficiency of GPVI is protective in mouse models of experimental thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism as well as in thromboinflammation, suggesting a role of GPVI in arterial and venous thrombus formation. In humans, platelet GPVI deficiency is associated with a mild bleeding phenotype, whereas a common variant rs1613662 in the GP6 gene is considered a risk factor for venous thromboembolism. However, preclinical studies on the inhibition of GPVI-ligand interactions are focused on arterial thrombotic complications. In this review we discuss the emerging evidence for GPVI in venous thrombus formation and leukocyte-dependent thromboinflammation, extending to venous thromboembolism, pulmonary thromboembolism, and cancer metastasis. We also recapitulate indications for circulating soluble GPVI as a biomarker of thrombosis-related complications. Collectively, we conclude that the current evidence suggests that platelet GPVI is also a suitable cotarget in the prevention of venous thrombosis due to its role in thrombus consolidation and platelet-leukocyte complex formation.