Le facteur 4 plaquettaire (PF4/CXCL4) est un tétramère constitué de quatre sous-unités identiques de 7,8 kDa qui est libéré en grande quantité par les plaquettes lors de l’hémostase primaire (ensemble des phénomènes permettant un colmatage initial d’une lésion vasculaire). L’étude de la formation d’un caillot de fibrine en présence de PF4 montre une augmentation de la turbidité finale du caillot : le PF4 modifie le réseau formé. Etant donné que la plupart des acteurs de la fibrinolyse se lie au caillot de fibrine et que le PF4 modifie sa structure, nous avons pensé qu’il serait intéressant de rechercher si le PF4 influençait aussi la fibrinolyse. La lyse d'un caillot est effectuée par la plasmine issue de l'activation du plasminogène par son activateur d’origine tissulaire (t-PA) en présence d’un cofacteur qui n'est autre que la fibrine. Nous avons étudié la lyse de caillots de plasma, obtenus par activation de la cascade de la coagulation, en condition statique et à l'aide d'un modèle de thrombose artérielle (système Chandler loop). Dans les deux cas, une diminution du temps de demi-lyse a été observée en présence de PF4. Cependant, la lyse de caillots préparés par simple ajout de thrombine sur du fibrinogène ne permet pas de retrouver cet effet du PF4. Ceci suggère que l’influence du PF4 sur la structure du caillot n’est pas à l’origine de l’effet sur sa lyse et que le PF4 n’influence pas (ou très peu) l'activation du plasminogène, ainsi que l'activité de la plasmine résultante. Cette hypothèse a été confirmée par l’étude de l’activité amydolytique du t-PA et de la plasmine (quelle soit ajoutée ou générée). En système purifié, les inhibiteurs plasmatiques de la fibrinolyse sont absents. Les deux principaux sont l'inhibiteur de l'activateur du plasminogène de type 1 (PAI-1) et l’α2-antiplasmine (α2-AP). La lyse de caillots préparés à partir de plasma déficient en α2-AP montre une diminution du temps de demi-lyse en présence de PF4 (comme pour le plasma normal), alors qu’avec le plasma dépourvu de PAI-1 le temps de demi-lyse n'est plus influencé. De plus, l’ajout de PAI-1 dans le système purifié entraine une diminution du temps de demi-lyse en présence de PF4. Ceci suggère que le PF4 prévient directement ou indirectement l'inhibition du t-PA par PAI-1. L’étude de la cinétique d'inhibition de l’activité amidolytique du t-PA par le PAI-1, la détermination de la stœchiométrie de cette inhibition, et l’analyse de ces cinétiques par immuno-empreinte montrent que le PF4 est un modulateur de la fibrinolyse qui agit en retardant la formation d'un complexe initial entre le t-PA et le PAI-1. Cette nouvelle fonction du PF4 est cohérente, et vient en complément de celle décrite récemment d’inhibiteur de l'activation du TAFI. / Platelet factor 4 (PF4/CXCL4) is a tetramer constituted of four identical 7,8 kDa subunits released in large quantities by platelets during primary heamostasis (allowing initial clogging of a vascular injury). Study of fibrin clot formation in the presence of PF4 shows an increase of the final clot turbidity: PF4 modifies the formed network. Given that most fibrinolysis actors are bound to the fibrin clot and that PF4 modifies its structure we thought it would be interesting to investigate if PF4 also influences fibrinolysis. Clot lysis is performed by plasmin originating from activation of its precursor by tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) with fibrin itself as cofactor of the reaction. We have studied lysis of plasma clots formed by activation of the coagulation cascade in static condition and in a Chandler loop model mimicking arterial thrombosis. Half-times of lysis decreased in the presence of PF4 in both systems. However, PF4 had no longer detectable influence on the half-time of lysis with clots formed by direct addition of thrombin on purified fibrinogen. Observation suggested that the observed decrease of the half-time of lysis induced by PF4 did not originate from its influence on fibrin clot formation and that PF4 had little effect if any on plasminogen activation or plasmin activity. We confirmed this hypothesis by comparing amydolytic activities of t-PA and plasmin (added or generated through plasminogen activation). In purified system, fibrinolysis inhibitors are absent. The two main inhibitors are plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and α2-antiplasmin (α2-AP). Lysis of clots obtained from α2-AP deficient plasma showed a decrease of the half-time of lysis in the presence of PF4 (as in normal plasma), whereas in PAI-1 deficient plasma half-time of lysis was unchanged. Moreover if PAI-1 was added to the purified system, half-time of lysis decreased in the presence of PF4. Observations therefore suggested that PF4 prevented directly or indirectly t-PA inhibition by PAI-1. Kinetics of the amidolytic activity of t-PA inhibition by PAI-1 in the presence or not of PF4, determination of its stoichiometry and Western blot analysis of these inhibition kinetics revealed that PF4 is a fibrinolysis modulator which delays formation of the initial (Michaelis) complex between t-PA and PAI-1. This new feature of PF4 is consistent and complementary with its recently described role as a modulator of TAFI activation.

The aim of this thesis was to study the biomarker homocysteine and other novel potential vascular risk factors for dementia. In an out-patient based study of a cohort of 926 consecutive subjects referred to our Memory Unit during 1996―2000, serum-folate was lower and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and serum methyl malonate were higher in subjects being prescribed with B12. In the subgroup diagnosed with dementia and with a positive family history of dementia, tHcy was higher than in the subgroup diagnosed as non-demented. It is necessary to supplement subjects with vitamin B12 deficiency with B12, but our results indicate that it is not sufficient with B12 alone because this gives rise to intracellular folate deficiency. We also found indications of a genetic component in dementia because tHcy was higher in the group with a positive family history of dementia. These findings prompted further studies of homocysteine metabolism. The frequency of mutations in the gene for folate receptor-α (FOLR-1), and the fibrinolytic pattern in dementia and non-dementia were studied in the two cohorts DGM (n=300) and AS (n=389). The DGM cohort is a consecutive series of subjects attending our Memory Care Unit for investigation of suspected cognitive problems or dementia between 2003 - 2007. The AS (= active seniors) cohort comprises retired, apparently healthy subjects from central Sweden, actively participating in study circles. A rare haplotype in the FOLR-1, with mutations in two nearby loci, was discovered, possibly associated with lower serum-folate and higher tHcy concentrations and was more frequent in the DGM group. The transport of folate to the CSF was studied in the DGM-cohort. Dementia with a vascular component was associated with a lower CSF to serum folate ratio indicative of reduced transport of folate to the CSF and further to the brain. The vascular endothelial derived fibrinolytic markers tPA, tPA/PAI-1-complex, and vWF were not only higher in vascular dementia (VaD) but also in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) when compared to the AS group. The impaired fibrinolytic activity in both vascular dementia and in AD is a novel finding, signifying a vascular component in the development of dementia. In conclusion we found that both hereditary and nutritional background factors were linked to dementia and furthermore that a dysregulated fibrinolysis was linked to both VaD and AD.

<p>Tromboza danas, u većini razvijenih zemalja, predstavlja vodeći uzrok obolevanja i umiranja. Poslednjih godina veoma aktuelna su istraživanja venskog tromboembolizma, obzirom da je incidenca ovog oboljenja 2/1000 osoba godi&scaron;nje, a njegov razvoj posledica udruženog delovanja vi&scaron;e genetskih i stečenih faktora rizika. &Scaron;to preciznije prepoznavanje i sagledavanje &scaron;to većeg broja ovih faktora osnovni je cilj u borbi, kako protiv prve epizode venske tromboze, tako i protiv recidiva ove bolesti. Brojni faktori rizika već su prepoznati kao sastavne karike patofiziolo&scaron;kog lanca venskog trombotskog procesa, ali je evidentno da otkrića mnogih od njih tek predstoje. Među najaktulenijim istraživanjima na ovom polju nalazi se i ispitivanje uloge poremećaja fibrinoliznog mehanizma u venskoj tromboembolijskoj bolesti. Iako su već pruženi dokazi da suprimirana fibrinolizna aktivnost povećava rizik od nastanka ovog oboljenja, jo&scaron; uvek postoje brojna otvorena pitanja, koja se pre svega odnose na ulogu pojedinačnih činilaca fibrinoliznog mehanizma u venskoj trombozi, kao i na globalnu ulogu fibrinoliznog mehanizma u različitim tipovima i lokalizacijama venske trombotske bolesti. Pored toga, ispitivanje uticaja pojedinih genskih mutacija na pojadinačne činioce fibrinoliznog mehanizma, njegovu globalnu funkcionalnost i posredno na rizik za nastanak venske tromboze, takođe zaokuplja pažnju stručne javnosti, obzirom na nekonzistentnost rezultata dobijenih studijama koje se bave ovom problematikom. Cilj ovoga istraživanja je ispitivanje kako globalne funkcionalnosti fibrinoliznog mehanizma, tako i njegovih pojedinačnih činilaca, kod bolesnika sa različitim tipovima i lokalizacijama venske tromboze i poređenje ovih parametara sa njihovim vrednostima u zdravoj populaciji. Pored toga, cilj istraživanja je i ispitivanje zastupljenosti 4G/5G PAI-1 polimorfizma kod bolesnika sa venskom trombozom u poređenju sa zdravim osobama. Ispitivanu grupu je sačinjavalo 100 bolesnika koji su doživeli trombozu dubokih vena a kontrolnu grupu je činilo 100 zdravih ispitanika, koji nikada nisu imali trombozni incident. Iz ispitivanja su isključene: osobe sa prethodno dokazanim poremećajem hemostaznog mehanizma, osobe koje uzimaju lekove za koje se zna da mogu imati uticaja na hemostazni mehanizam, osobe koje su imale akutnu bolest u momentu uzorkovanja krvi ili 6 nedelja pre toga, osobe sa malignitetom, trudnice, osobe sa težim du&scaron;evnim bolestima, bolestima jetre i bubrega, autoimunim bolestima, ispitanici koji su odbili da potpi&scaron;u pristanak informisanog ispitanika. Kao test za procenu globalne funkcionalnosti fibrinoliznog mehanizma kori&scaron;teno je euglobulinsko vreme lize koaguluma, dok su od pojedinačnih činilaca određivani: tkivni aktivator plazminogena (t-PA) i trombinom aktivi&scaron;ući fibrinolizni inhibitor (TAFI) - ELISA metodom, kao i inhibitor aktivatora plazminogena-1 (PAI-1) - metodom hromogenog substrata. Genetskim ispitivanjem je utvrđivano prisustvo PAI-1 4G/5G genskog polimorfizma. Prema rezultatima istraživanja kod 56% bolesnika bila je prisutna spontana venska tromboza, dok je 44% njih imalo trombozu provociranu jednim od priznatih faktora rizika. U odnosu na lokalizaciju venskog tromboznog procesa proksimalna venska tromboza bila je prisutna kod 63% bolesnika, izolovana distalna venska tromboza kod 29% bolesnika, a atipično lokalizovana venska tromboza kod 8% bolesnika. Posmatrajući zastupljenost pojedinih faktora rizika uočili smo da je značajno vi&scaron;i procenat osoba sa hipertenzijom bio prisutan u grupi bolesnika sa primarnom trombozom dubokih vena u odnosu na grupu bolesnika sa provociranom trombozom dubokih vena (61% vs.16%; p=0.000). &Scaron;to se funkcionalnosti fibrinoliznog mehanizma tiče, prema na&scaron;im rezultatima bolesnici koji su doživeli trombozu dubokih vena imaju značajno duže vreme lize koaguluma, odnosno suprimiranu funkcionalnost fibrinolize u poređenju sa zdravim kontrolama (204.34&plusmn;51.24 vs. 185.62&plusmn;42.30; p=0.011), a kada posmatramo podgrupe bolesnika u odnosu na lokalizaciju i vrstu venske tromboze uočavamo da podgrupa bolesnika sa izolovanom distalnom venskom trombozom ima značajno duže euglobulinsko vreme lize koaguluma u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu (218.32&plusmn;41.12 vs.185.62&plusmn;42.30: p=0.001), kao i bolesnici koji su imali provociranu vensku trombozu u poređenju sa kontrolama (208.18&plusmn;48.53 vs. 185.62&plusmn;42.30; p=0.018). Ispitivanjem pojedinačnih komponenti fibrinoliznog mehanizma do&scaron;li smo do rezultata da bolesnici koji su doživeli venski trombozni incident imaju značajno vi&scaron;e koncentracije TAFI u poređenju sa osobama koje nikada nisu imale vensku trombozu (19.70 ng/ml &plusmn; 5.17 vs.17.13 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.25; p=0.001). Poređenjem bolesnika sa provociranom trombozom dubokih vena i kontrolnih ispitanika uočili smo da bolesnici iz ove podgrupe imaju značajno vi&scaron;e vrednosti plazminogena u poređenju sa zdravim osobama (127.14 % &plusmn; 27.73 vs.117.09 % &plusmn; 24.49; p= 0.044), kao i značajno vi&scaron;e koncentracije t-PA (20.02 ng/ml &plusmn; 11.07 vs. 16.78 ng/ml &plusmn; 8.08; p=0.042). &Scaron;to se tiče TAFI, bolesnici sa distalnom trombozom dubokih vena u poređenju sa kontrolama (20.72 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.96 vs.17.13 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.25; p=0.001), kao i bolesnici sa proksimalnom trombozom dubokih vena u poređenju sa kontrolama (19.37 ng/ml &plusmn; 5.33 vs.17.13 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.25; p=0.013) imaju značajno vi&scaron;e koncentracije TAFI. Koncentracija ovog inhibitora fibrinoliznog procesa značajno je veća i kod bolesnika sa provociranom trombozom dubokih vena u poređenju s zdravim osobama (19.93 ng/ml &plusmn; 3.97 vs.17.13 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.25; p=0.000), kao i kod bolesnika sa primarnom trombozom dubokih vena u poređenju sa zdravim ispitanicima (19.53 ng/ml &plusmn; 5.97 vs.17.13 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.25; p=0.023). &Scaron;to se genetskih analiza tiče, u okviru grupe bolesnika imali smo 25% homozigotnih i 58% heterozigotnih nosilaca mutacije gena za PAI-1, dok 17% bolesnika nije imalo pomenutu gensku mutaciju. U okviru kontrolne grupe pak, bilo je 30% homozigotnih i 56% heterozigotnih nosilaca mutacije a 14% ispitanika nije imalo mutaciju. Nije uočena značajna razlika u zastupljenosti 4G/4G genotipa između bolesnika sa različitim lokalizacijama venskog trombotskog procesa (distalna DVT 29% vs. proksimalna DVT 21% vs. DVT retke lokalizacije 12%; p=0.501), kao ni u zastupljenosti ovoga genotipa kod provocirane i spontane tromboze dubokih vena (27% vs. 23%; p=0.642), niti kod izolovane tromboze dubokih vena u poređenju sa plućnom tromboembolijom (25% vs. 33%; p=0.735). Procena rizika za nastanak venske tromboze u odnosu na postojanje poremećaja globalne funkcionalnosti fibrinoliznog mehanizma, u odnosu na patolo&scaron;ke koncentracije pojedinih komponenti fibrinoliznog mehanizma, kao i u odnosu na postojanje 4G/4G mutacije u genu za PAI-1, pokazala je da suprimirana funkcionalnost fibrinoliznog mehanizma trostruko povećava rizik za nastanak tromboze dubokih vena (OR 3.02; CI 1.26-7.22), povi&scaron;en nivo PAI-1 nema uticaja na rizik od nastanka tromboze dubokih vena, na &scaron;ta ukazuje OR od 0.86 sa CI 0.59-1.25, povi&scaron;en nivo t-PA antigena ne utiče na rizik od nastanka tromboze dubokih vena (OR 1.53; CI 0.79-2.94), ali povi&scaron;ena koncentracija TAFI vi&scaron;e od dvostruko povećava ovaj rizik (OR 2.25; CI 1.16-4.35). Prema na&scaron;im rezultatima PAI-1 4G/4G genotip nema uticaja na rizik od nastanaka venske tromboze, &scaron;to potvrđuje OR koji iznosi 0.57 (0.27-1.20). Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata zaključujemo da bolesnici sa trombozom dubokih vena imaju suprimiranu funkcionalnost fibrinoliznog mehanizma u poređenju sa zdravim osobama, da je nivo t-PA antigena, kao i plazminogena značajno vi&scaron;i kod bolesnika sa provociranom venskom trombozom nego kod zdravih osoba, da nema razlike u koncentraciji PAI-1 između bolesnika sa venskom trombozom i zdravih osoba, ali da bolesnici sa trombozom dubokih vena, bez obzira na njenu lokalizaciju ili vrstu imaju značajno vi&scaron;e nivoe TAFI u poređenju sa zdravim ispitanicima. Pored toga možemo zaključiti da ne postoji razlika u zastupljenosti 4G/5G polimorfizma između bolesnika sa venskom trombozom i zdravih ispitanika. Konačno, možemo reći da na osnovu na&scaron;ih rezultata možemo zaključiti da suprimirana funkcionalnost fibrinoliznog mehanizma trostruko povećava rizik od nastanka tromboze dubokih vena, a povi&scaron;en nivo TAFI-a dvostruko povećava ovaj rizik, dok 4G/5G PAI-1 polimorfizam nema uticaja na rizik za nastanak venskog tromboembolizma.</p> / <p>Thrombosis is nowadays leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lately, studies dealing with venous thromboembolism are very actual, since incidence of this disease is 2/1000 persons per year and its development is consequence of joint action of many different inherited and acquired risk factors. Precise recognition and understanding as many of those factors as possible represents imperative in fight against the first episode of venous thrombosis, and also against the recurrence of the disease. Numerous risk factors have been already recognized as constituent links of pathophysiological chain of venous thrombotic process, but it is also clear that the discovery of many of them are yet to come. Investigations of the role of fibrinolytic mechanism disorders in venous thrombosis are topical in the field. Although, we have some evidences that suppressed fibrinolytic activity increases the risk of this disease, still there are many open issues, especially those dealing with the role of individual factors of fibrinolytic mechanism in venous thrombosis, and with the role of global fibrinolytic function in different types and localizations of venous thrombotic disease. Further, investigation of the effects of gene mutations on individual fibrinolytic mechanism components, its global functionality and indirectly to the risk of venous thrombosis, also attracts the attention of experts, given the inconsistency of results obtained from studies dealing with this issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate fibrinolytic mechanism global functionality, as well as functionality of its integral individual components in patients with different venous thrombosis types and localizations, and to compare them with those of the healthy persons. In addition, the aim was to evaluate presence of 4G/5G PAI-1 polymorphism in patients with venous thrombosis compared with healthy subjects. The case group consisted of 100 patients with deep vein thrombosis and the control group consisted of 100 healthy subjects who had never had thrombotic incident. Exclusion criteria were: documented haemostatic disease, taking drugs proven to affect fibrinolytic function, acute illness within 6 weeks before blood sampling, malignancy, pregnancy, severe mental illness, kidney or liver diseases, autoimmune diseases, examinee refusal to sign the informed consent. We used euglobulin cloth lysis time test as test for global fibrinolytic mechanism function estimation, and also determined: t-PA and TAFI concentrations using ELISA method and PAI-1 concentrations using chromogenic substrate method. The presence of PAI-1 4G/5G gene polymorphism was determined by genetic testing. According to results 56% of patients had unprovoked and 44% had provoked venous thrombosis. Proximal venous thrombosis was present in 63% of cases, distal venous thrombosis in 29% of cases and atypical venous thrombosis in 8% of them. Significantly higher frequency of hypertension was present in patients with primary deep vein thrombosis than in the group of patients with provoked deep vein thrombosis (61% vs. 16%, p = 0.000). Patients who have experienced deep vein thrombosis had a significantly longer clot lysis time, and suppressed fibrinolysis function compared with healthy controls (204.34 &plusmn; 51.24 vs. 185.62 &plusmn; 42.30, p = 0.011). Also, this parameter was significantly longer in patients with isolated distal deep vein thrombosis compared with healthy controls (218.32&plusmn;41.12 vs. 185.62&plusmn;42.30: p=0.001), such as in patients with provoked venous thrombosis compared with controls (208.18&plusmn;48.53 vs. 185.62&plusmn;42.30; p=0.018). Patients with venous thrombosis had significantly higher TAFI concentrations in comparison with healthy volunteers (19.70 ng/ml &plusmn; 5.17 vs. 17.13 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.25; p=0.001). Patients with provoked venous thrombosis had significantly higher concentrations of plasminogen (127.14 % &plusmn; 27.73 vs. 117.09 % &plusmn; 24.49; p= 0.044) and t-PA (20.02 ng/ml &plusmn; 11.07 vs. 16.78 ng/ml &plusmn; 8.08; p=0.042), in comparison with controls. Regarding TAFI, we noticed that patients with isolated distal deep vein thrombosis have higher values of this parameter compered with healthy people (20.72 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.96 vs. 17.13 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.25; p=0.001), such as patients with proximal deep vein thrombosis (19.37 ng/ml &plusmn; 5.33 vs. 17.13 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.25; p=0.013). The same was obtained when compared patients with provoked venous thrombosis and controls (19.93 ng/ml &plusmn; 3.97 vs. 17.13 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.25; p=0.000), and patients with unprovoked venous thrombosis and controls (19.53 ng/ml &plusmn; 5.97 vs. 17.13 ng/ml &plusmn; 4.25; p=0.023). As far as genetic analysis, in the group of patients we had 25% homozygous and 58% heterozygous carriers of PAI-1 gene mutation, whereas 17% of patients did&#39;t have this mutation. In controls, we had 30% homozygous and 56% heterozygous carriers of mutation and 14% of those without mutation. There was no significant difference in the frequency of 4G/4G genotype between patients with different localization of venous thrombotic process (distal DVT 29% vs. proximal DVT 21% vs. rare localization DVT 12%, p = 0.501), as well as the representation of this genotype in provoked and unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (27% vs. 23%, p = 0.642), or in isolated deep vein thrombosis compared to pulmonary thromboembolism (25% vs. 33%, p = 0.735). Finaly, our results show that suppressed fibrinolytic functionality threefold increases risk of venous thrombosis (OR 3.02, CI 1.26-7.22), elevated levels of PAI-1 have no effect on the risk of deep vein thrombosis, as evidenced by OR of 0.86 with CI 0.59-1.25, elevated levels of t-PA antigen do not affect the risk of deep venous thrombosis (OR 1.53; CI 0.79-2.94), but increased concentration of TAFI increases more than twice this risk (OR 2.25; CI 1.16-4.35). PAI-1 4G/4G genotype does not affect venous thrombotic risk (OR 0.57; CI 0.27-1.20). Based on these results, we conclude that patients with deep vein thrombosis have suppressed fibrinolytic mechanism functionality compared to healthy subjects, the levels of t-PA antigen and plasminogen are significantly higher in patients with provoked venous thrombosis than in healthy subjects, there is no difference in PAI-1 concentration in patients with venous thrombosis and healthy persons, but the patients with deep vein thrombosis, regardless of its localisation or the type have a significantly higher level of TAFI as compared with healthy subjects. In addition, we can conclude that there is no difference in the prevalence of 4G/5G polymorphism in patients with venous thrombosis and healthy persons. Finally, we can say that suppressed fibrinolytic mechanism functionality threefold increases risk of deep vein thrombosis, elevated level of TAFI-a double increases this risk, while PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism has no influence on the risk of venous thromboembolism.</p>

Hemocoagulation, blood coagulation, is an important indicator of hemostatic balance in the human body. There are many ways how to investigate blood clotting. In practice, next to the tests investigating time of coagulation cascade from view of internal way (APTT – activated partial tromboplastin time) and external way (PT – prothrombin time) is often used determining of fibrinogen concentration by Clauss method. Derived fibrinogen method determined fibrinogen concentration, too, by subtracting form the clotting curve in PT test. The reaction for Clauss method is not necessary here. Derived fibrinogen is not used much in practice. This is the reason, why the thesis related to this project will try to find relationship between concentration of fibrinogen and standard tests APTT and PT. Clinical data will be used for this.

L’activité plaquettaire joue un rôle clé dans la physiopathologie de l’infarctus du myocarde avec sus-décalage du segment ST (IDM ST+). La réactivité plaquettaire est augmentée lors d’un IDM ST+, traité par angioplastie primaire ou par fibrinolyse avec succès. La relation entre la réactivité plaquettaire résiduelle après un pré-traitement, la charge athérothrombotique et la qualité de la reperfusion myocardique reste peu décrite dans le cadre des IDM ST+. La tomographie par cohérence optique et celle plus récente par domaine de fréquence offrent une imagerie de haute résolution permettant l’identification et la quantification précise de la charge athérothrombotique intracoronaire (CAT). La CAT résiduelle intra-stent peut aider à mieux comprendre la relation entre la réactivité plaquettaire et la reperfusion. Dans un premier temps, nous avons évalué la précision des tests VerifyNow et PFA en comparaison à l’agrégométrie optique pour la détection de l’hyperréactivité plaquettaire dans le contexte particulier des IDM ST+ traités par fibrinolyse avec succès. Nous avons aussi décrit les caractéristiques de la CAT avant et après angioplastie selon la présence d’une rupture de plaque ou d’une érosion coronaire chez des patients traités par fibrinolyse avec succès. Ensuite, nous avons étudié la relation entre la réactivité plaquettaire résiduelle (en réponse au ticagrelor et à l’aspirine) mesurée par VerifyNow et la reperfusion myocardique chez des patients traités par angioplastie primaire. En parallèle, nous avons décrit la relation entre la reperfusion myocardique et la CAT résiduelle intra-stent dans la même cohorte. / Platelet activity plays a key role in the pathophysiology of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Platelet reactivity is enhanced after STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or successful thrombolysis. The relationship between residual platelet reactivity after pre-treatment, the atherothrombotic burden and the quality of reperfusion remains poorly described in STEMI. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) provide high resolution imaging allowing identification and accurate quantification of intracoronary atherothrombotic burden (ATB). Residual in-stent ATB may help to better understand the relation between platelet reactivity and reperfusion. First, we assessed the accuracy of the point-of-care tests VerifyNow and PFA in comparison to light transmittance aggregometry to detect high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) in the particular setting of STEMI successfully treated with fibrinolysis. We also described the characteristics of ATB before and after PCI according to the underlying presence of rupture or erosion in patients successfully treated with fibrinolysis. Then, we assessed the relationship between residual platelet reactivity (in response to ticagrelor and aspirin) using VerifyNow and myocardial reperfusion in primary PCI patients. In parallel, we studied the relationship between myocardial reperfusion and residual in-stent ATB in the same cohort.

<p> Inherited bleeding disorders can be caused by mutations affecting platelet, coagulation, or fibrinolytic proteins. Quebec platelet disorder (QPD) is a rare, autosomal dominant disorder associated with increased expression of the fibrinolytic enzyme urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in platelets. Individuals with QPD experience delayed-onset bleeding after hemostatic challenges that is attenuated with fibrinolytic inhibitor therapy. The aims of this thesis were to: 1) determine if increased platelet uPA contributes to QPD clot lysis in vitro; 2) investigate whether QPD individuals have increased urinary uPA, as some individuals experience hematuria; and 3) map the genetic locus of QPD, and look for the putative mutation. Studies of clot lysis indicated that QPD platelets induce a gain-of-function defect in fibrinolysis when platelets are incorporated into clots. This suggests that accelerated fibrinolysis may contribute to QPD bleeding. Studies of urinary uPA in QPD showed that uPA is not increased, indicating that hematuria in QPD is likely a consequence of increased platelet uPA. This finding also suggests that uPA overexpression in QPD may be megakaryocyte-specific. Linkage studies showed that QPD is strongly linked to a 2 megabase region on chromosome 10 that harbors the uPA gene, PLA U. No mutations in PLA U or its regulatory regions were identified; however, a common haplotype for a 32.5 kilobase region around PLA U, including inheritance of a rare, linked polymorphism, suggests this is the most likely locus for QPD. mRNA studies in QPD platelets showed that QPD selectively increases expression of the linked PLAU allele, without similar increases in megakaryocyte progenitors or in saliva. These findings implicate a cis-mutation near PLA U as the cause of QPD. This thesis provides novel insights on the fibrinolytic abnormality in QPD blood, and on the QPD genetic locus. which will be important for identifying the precise mutation that converts normally prohemostatic platelets to profibrinolytic cells. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infections are suspected to trigger the coagulation system through various pathways leading to a high incidence of thromboembolic complications, hypercoagulation and impaired fibrinolytic capacity were previously identified as potentially mechanisms. A reliable diagnostic tool for detecting both is still under discussion. This retrospective study is aimed to examine the prognostic relevance of early viscoelastic testing compared to conventional laboratory tests in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). - Methods: All mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 related ARDS treated in our intensive care unit (ICU) between January and March 2021 were included in this study. Viscoelastic testing (VET) was performed using the ClotPro® system after admission to our ICU. Prevalence of thromboembolic events was observed by standardized screening for venous and pulmonary thromboembolism using complete compression ultrasound and thoracic computed tomography pulmonary angiography at ICU admission, respectively. We examined associations between the severity of ARDS at admission to our ICU, in-hospital mortality and the incidence of thromboembolic events comparing conventional laboratory analysis and VET. ECMO related coagulopathy was investigated in a subgroup analysis. The data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test. - Results: Of 55 patients enrolled in this study, 22 patients required treatment with ECMO. Thromboembolic complications occurred in 51% of all patients. Overall hospital mortality was 55%. In patients with thromboembolic complications, signs of reduced fibrinolytic capacity could be detected in the TPA assay with prolonged lysis time, median 460 s (IQR 350–560) vs 359 s (IQR 287–521, p = 0.073). Patients with moderate to severe ARDS at admission to our ICU showed increased maximum clot firmness as a sign of hypercoagulation in the EX-test (70 vs 67 mm, p < 0.05), FIB-test (35 vs 24 mm, p < 0.05) and TPA-test (52 vs 36 mm, p < 0.05) as well as higher values of inflammatory markers (CRP, PCT and IL6). ECMO patients suffered more frequently from bleeding complications (32% vs 15%). - Conclusion: Although, the predictive value for thromboembolic complications or mortality seems limited, point-ofcare viscoelastic coagulation testing might be useful in detecting hypercoagulable states and impaired fibrinolysis in critically ill COVID-19 ARDS patients and could be helpful in identifying patients with a potentially very severe course of the disease.

Hintergrund: Abdominale Adhäsionen entstehen vor allem durch Operationen. Sie können ernste Beschwerden auslösen, wie Dünndarmileus, Infertilität und chronische Schmerzen. Eine allgemein anerkannte Prophylaxe und/oder Therapie existiert trotz intensiver Forschung nicht. Steigende Lebenserwartung und erweiterte Operationsindikationen verschärfen das Problem. Ziel: Diese Studie soll zeigen, dass der Angiogeneseinhibitor Thalidomid postoperative Verwachsungen im Tiermodell hemmt ohne die Wundheilung zu gefährden. Methoden: 40 New Zealand White Kaninchen wurden bei einem operativen Eingriff einmalig intraperitoneal mit Thalidomid oder einem Placebo behandelt. Nach drei oder sieben Tagen wurden die Tiere erneut operiert. Danach wurden Adhäsionsbildung und Angiogenese beurteilt. Von TNF-alpha, einem wichtigen Mediator für Adhäsionen, wurden die Serumspiegel ermittelt. Die Wundheilung wurde durch visuelle Inspektion sowie durch Bestimmung von Berstungsdruck und –stelle kontrolliert. Ergebnisse: Thalidomid hemmt postoperative Adhäsionen. In der Therapiegruppe hatten 75 Prozent der Tiere keine und 25 Prozent minimale Adhäsionen. In der Kontrollgruppe dagegen traten bei knapp 50 Prozent der Tiere mäßige oder dichte Adhäsionen auf. Drei Mechanismen scheinen für die adhäsionsinhibierende Wirkung von Thalidomid verantwortlich zu sein: Hemmung der Angiogenese, Modulation der Fibrinolyse und Reduzierung der Entzündungsreaktion. Das Operationsergebnis gefährdet Thalidomid nicht. Bei der Inspektion wiesen alle Kaninchen regelgerechte Wundverhältnisse auf. Die ermittelten Berstungsdrücke und -stellen zeigten keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen Therapie- und Kontrollgruppe. Schlussfolgerungen: Wegen der entscheidenden Rolle der Angiogenese für die Wundheilung, aber auch wegen der teratogenen Effekte von Thalidomid, muss die adhäsionsinhibierende Wirkung von Thalidomid vor einem klinischen Einsatz in weiteren Tierversuchen verifiziert werden. Überprüft werden sollte dabei, ob neben den drei diskutierten Mechanismen, weitere vor allem immunmodulatorische Prozesse die Adhäsionshemmung bewirken. / Background: Abdominal adhesions mainly result from surgery. They can cause severe trouble like small bowel obstruction, female infertility and chronic pain. A generally recognised prevention and/or therapy does not exist despite intensive research. Increasing life expectancy and a wider range of indications for operations make matters worse. Objective: The purpose of the study is to demonstrate that the angiogenesis inhibitor thalidomide inhibits postsurgical adhesions in an animal model without impacting wound healing. Methods: 40 New Zealand White rabbits were treated once in an operation intraperitoneal with either thalidomide or with a placebo. After three or seven days the animals again underwent an operation. Thereafter the adhesions formation and angiogenesis was assessed. The level of TNF-alpha, an important mediator for adhesions, in blood was measured. The wound healing was controlled by visual inspection and the determination of the bursting pressure und location. Resuts: Thalidomid inhibits postsurgical adhesions. In the therapy sample 75 per cent of the animals had no and 25 per cent had minimal adhesions. In the control sample almost 50 per cent of the animals had moderate or dense adhesions. Three mechamisms appear to be responsible for thalidomide to inhibit adhesions: the inhibition of the angiogenesis, the modulation of the fibrinolysis and the reduction of the inflammation. The result of the operation was not impacted by thalidomide. All rabbits showed normal wound healing. The bursting pressure and location did not differ significantly between the therapy and the control sample. Conclusions: Because of the importance of the angiogenesis for wound healing as well as the teratogenic effects of thalidomide, thalidomide must be further analysed in animal tests before being applied in clinical practice. As part of this it should be examined whether in addition to the three mechansims discussed, other proceeses, in particular immune modulating processes contribute to inhibit adhesions.

Es wurde ein zweistufiger, indirekter enzymatischer Assay (Fibrinolytische-Kapazität, FC) in zwei Varianten (basal, aktiviert) vorgestellt, der summarisch Störungen der Fibrinolyse erfasst, da in ihn die Gesamtaktivität der Aktivatoren und Inhibitoren des Plasmas einfließt. In der ersten Stufe wird Plasma Urokinase zugeführt, welche mit Plasminogenaktivatorinhibitoren interagiert. Die noch freie Urokinase aktiviert Plasminogen zu Plasmin. Die plasmatischen Antiplasmine, hauptsächlich alpha 2-Antiplasmin, werden oxidativ mit Taurin-Chloramin inaktiviert. Schließlich wird die resultierende Plasminmenge mit einem chromogenen Substrat quantifiziert. In einer zweiten Variante wird die kontaktphasenabhängige Fibrinolyse vorher sehr potent mit Dextransulfat stimuliert. Zur Validierung wurde der Einfluss von PAI-1, Fibrinogen und Plasminogen untersucht. Störgrößen wie Antioxidantien, parenterale Antikoagulantien, Phenprocoumon, Aprotinin, Tranexamsäure, Thrombozyten und Bilirubin wurden ebenfalls untersucht. Zusätzlich wurde der Test anhand eines Normal-, Thrombose- und Schwangerenkollektives sowie zweier kleiner Kollektive (Schwangere und Patienten unter oraler Antikoagulation) im Zeitverlauf untersucht. Beide FC-Varianten bilden dabei die prothrombotischen Faktoren unterschiedlich ab. In der Regressionsanalyse reagiert die basale FC eher auf Veränderungen der PAI-1- und Plasminogenkonzentrationen, die aktivierte FC eher auf Plasminogen und Thrombose. Thrombose wird durch die aktivierte FC besser als durch die basale FC diagnostiziert (beta-Koeffizienten für Thrombose -0,12 vs. -0,26, Zusammenhangsmaß Eta² von FC und Thrombose 5,6% vs. 9,9%, Entscheidungsgrenze (Cut-Off) für Thrombose 33,0% vs. 66,2% für basale bzw. aktivierte FC). Beide FC-Varianten besitzen ähnliche Sensitivität, Spezifität, prädiktive Werte und relative Risikos für Thrombose bei FC-Werten unterhalb der Entscheidungsgrenze. Die Thromboseerkennbarkeit ist für beide Varianten gleichwertig bei einer Übereinstimmung untereinander von 61,3% (Cohen-Kappa-Koeffizient). Bei der Abklärung einer akuten Thrombose ist dieser Fibrinolyse-Globaltest in der Lage, Ursachen innerhalb des fibrinolytischen Systems zu erkennen. / A two-step indirect enzymatic assay (fibrinolytic capacity, FC) was presented in two variations (basal, activated) detecting the total fibrinolytic disturbances by its ability to assess the entire plasmatic activity of activators and inhibitors. In the first step urokinase is added to plasma, which interacts with plasminogen-activator-inhibitors. The remaining urokinase activated plasminogen to plasmin. The plasmatic antiplasmines, mainly alpha 2-antiplasmine were oxidative inhibited with taurine-chloramine. Finally the resulting amount of plasmin was quantified using a chromogenic substrate. In a second variation the contact-phase fibrinolysis was highly stimulated with dextran-sulfate. The influence of PAI-1, fibrinogen and plasminogen were analysed including disturbing substances such as antioxidants, parenteral anticoagulants, phenprocoumon, aprotinine, tranexamic acid, platelets and bilirubine. In addition, validation was performed including healthy individuals, patients with thrombosis and pregnant women and two small cohorts (pregnant women and patients under oral anticoagulation) over time. The prothrombotic factors were differently represented by the two FC-variations. In the regression analysis the basal FC reacted predominantly to alterations in the concentration of PAI-1 and plasminogen. In contrast the activated FC was more likely affected by plasminogen and thrombosis. The activated FC was more sensitive in the detection of thrombosis than the basal FC (with a beta-coefficient for thrombosis -0,12 vs. -0,26, a coefficient of strength of association eta² from FC with thrombosis 5,6% vs. 9,9% and a cut-off for thrombosis 33,0% vs. 66,2% for basal and activated FC respectively). Below these cut-offs both FC-variations had equal sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and relative risks in the detection of thrombosis by FC-values. The ability to detect thrombosis were equally with a correspondence of 61,3% (Cohen-Kappa-coefficient). This fibrinolytic global-test is able to identify the underlying cause within the fibrinolytic system for the a clarification of acute thrombosis.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2009. / Härtill 4 uppsatser. Även tryckt utgåva.