Bombay phenotype is associated with reduced plasma-VWF levels and an increased susceptibility to ADAMTS13 proteolysis

Blood. 2005 Sep 15;106(6):1988-91. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-02-0792. Epub 2005 May 10.

Abstract

ABO blood group is an important determinant of plasma von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag) levels, with lower levels in group O. Previous reports have suggested that ABO(H) sugars affect the susceptibility of VWF to ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 repeats-13) cleavage. To further test this hypothesis, we collected plasma from individuals with the rare Bombay blood group. VWF:Ag levels were significantly lower in Bombay patients (median, 0.69 IU/mL) than in groups AB, A, or B (P < .05) and lower than in group O individuals (median, 0.82 IU/mL). Susceptibility of purified VWF fractions to recombinant ADAMTS13 cleavage, assessed using VWF collagen-binding assay (VWF:CB), was increased in Bombays compared with either group O or AB. Increasing urea concentration (0.5 to 2 M) increased the cleavage rate for each blood group but eliminated the differences between groups. We conclude that reduction in the number of terminal sugars on N-linked glycan increases susceptibility of globular VWF to ADAMTS13 proteolysis and is associated with reduced plasma VWF:Ag and VWF:CB levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System / chemistry*
  • ADAM Proteins
  • ADAMTS13 Protein
  • Carbohydrates / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Metalloendopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Phenotype
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry
  • Urea / pharmacology
  • von Willebrand Factor / analysis
  • von Willebrand Factor / metabolism*

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Carbohydrates
  • Polysaccharides
  • von Willebrand Factor
  • Urea
  • ADAM Proteins
  • Metalloendopeptidases
  • ADAMTS13 Protein
  • ADAMTS13 protein, human