Evaluation of protein expression and molecular changes of hepatic LRP1 receptor and its correlation with plasma levels of factor VIII

Author(s)

Luis Fernando Bittar

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
• Defense date: 2013-12-19

Examining board members

Joyce Maria Annichino Bizzacchi; Vania Maria Morelli; Erich Vinicius De Paula; Fernanda Loureiro de Andrade Orsi

• Advisor: Joyce Maria Annichino Bizzacchi

Abstract

Introduction: Increased levels of factor VIII (FVIII) are a prevalent and independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a long-term complication of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs that is present in 20%-50% of patients and can be associated to a chronic inflammatory process. The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) has been associated with FVIII catabolism. Methodology: After a median of 10 years of the first thrombotic episode, we evaluated FVIII coagulation levels in 68 patients with VTE and previous high levels of FVIII and in 67 healthy controls. Subsequently, we analyzed the presence of PTS in patients and its relationship with plasma levels of FVIII. Moreover, we evaluated the regions of FVIII and LRP1 genes encoding regions of affinity between these proteins, with the objective of determining whether these molecular changes are associated with plasma levels of FVIII and VTE. Finally, we evaluated the protein expression of LRP1 in the liver of 20 surgical patients. Results: After 10-years median of the first VTE episode, FVIII levels were significantly higher in patients when compared to controls (158.0 IU/dL vs. 126.1 IU/dL; p<0.001]. Patients with severe PTS showed increased levels of FVIII (182.0 IU/dL) when compared to patients with moderate PTS (155.5 IU/dL; p<0.001) or no PTS (154.0 IU/dL; p<0.001). Despite we have found 14 molecular changes in the FVIII and LRP1 genes, no relationship was found between these molecular alterations and FVIII levels or VTE. Moreover, no correlation was observed between LRP1 expression in the liver cells and plasma FVIII levels. Conclusions: We demonstrated a persistent increase of FVIII levels in a subset of patients with VTE, but in a much lower magnitude after 10 years of the first VTE episode. Moreover, we observed a significant association between increased plasma FVIII levels and severe PTS (AU)