Background: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an iatrogenic immune-mediated prothrombotic disorder that is a direct consequence of heparin therapy. In HIT, antibodies are generated against complexes of platelet factor-4 (PF4) and heparin. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies bind to PF4/heparin complexes and cause Fc-receptor-mediated activation of platelets and monocytes. PF4 binds endogenous heparin-like polyanions to reveal cross-reactive epitopes that can also bind anti-PF4/heparin antibodies. Based on this observation, researchers have suggested that exposure to PF4/polyanion complexes can sensitize immune cells to become activated to produce HIT antibodies following iatrogenic heparin exposure. Research objective: The objective of this study is to determine whether the preoperative PF4-dependent immune response is associated with postoperative anti-PF4/heparin antibody production in a cohort of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Materials and methods: To assess the preoperative immune response to PF4, we utilized two assays: (1) a 3H-thymidine uptake assay to measure peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation in response to in vitro stimulation with PF4 and (2) a PBMC ELISPOT assay to measure the preoperative frequency of PF4-specific antibody-secreting cells. Proliferation was quantified as a stimulation index (SI). We then utilized a PF4/heparin-dependent enzyme immunoassay to measure the in vivo levels of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies produced by these patients in the postoperative period. Results: Our findings suggest that preoperative PF4-dependent proliferation is not associated with postoperative polyspecific anti-PF4/heparin antibody production [Spearman’s ρ (95% CI) = –0.02 (–0.32, 0.28), P = 0.91]. PF4-dependent proliferation had a weak negative association with postoperative anti-PF4/heparin IgG antibody production [Spearman’s ρ (95% CI) = –0.31 (–0.56, –0.02), P = 0.04], but was not associated with postoperative IgM or IgA anti-PF4/heparin antibody production [IgM: Spearman’s ρ (95% CI) = –0.04 (–0.33, 0.26), P = 0.78; IgA: Spearman’s ρ (95% CI) = –0.05 (–0.34, 0.25), P = 0.73]. Qualitative analysis demonstrated that two patients who had the strongest preoperative PF4-dependent proliferation responses produced the highest postoperative levels of anti-PF4/heparin IgM antibodies, but this relationship was not observed with postoperative anti-PF4/heparin IgG antibodies. Moreover, the preoperative frequency of PF4-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) was also not associated with postoperative levels of anti-PF4/heparin IgM or IgG antibodies [IgM: Spearman’s ρ (95% CI) = 0.30 (–0.79, 0.93), P = 0.683; IgG: Spearman’s ρ (95% CI) = –0.21 (–0.92, 0.83), P = 0.600]; however, this was only completed on five patients and so the sample size should be increased before any meaningful conclusions can be drawn. We also demonstrated that PF4-dependent proliferation increases 5–6 days following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery [geometric mean (GM) postoperative PF4 alone proliferation (in SI) vs. GM preoperative PF4 alone proliferation (in SI) ± SEM: 23.7 ± 1.3 vs. 6.9 ± 1.5, P = 0.009]. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we conclude that preoperative PF4-dependent proliferation is unable to predict postoperative anti-PF4/heparin antibody production in this cohort of cardiopulmonary bypass patients. Due to the small sample size, we are unable to make conclusive statements regarding the relationship between preoperative PF4-specific ASC frequency and postoperative anti-PF4/heparin antibody production, but our findings would suggest that an association does not exist between these two variables in this patient cohort. Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, however, may mobilize the postoperative immune cell repertoire to become activated against the self-protein PF4 and may therefore contribute to the postoperative HIT immune response. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Background: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an immune-mediated disorder that is a direct consequence of heparin therapy. In HIT, antibodies are generated against complexes of platelet factor-4 (PF4) and heparin. Antibodies bind to PF4/heparin complexes and cause activation of platelets and monocytes. Researchers have suggested that exposure to PF4/polyanion complexes can sensitize immune cells to become activated to produce HIT antibodies following iatrogenic heparin exposure. Research objective: The objective of this study is to determine whether the preoperative PF4-dependent immune response is associated with postoperative anti-PF4/heparin antibody production in a cohort of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Materials and methods: To assess the preoperative immune response to PF4, we measured cellular proliferation in response to PF4 stimulation and the preoperative frequency of PF4-specific antibody-secreting cells. We also measured the level of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies following surgery. Results: Our findings suggest that preoperative PF4-dependent proliferation is not associated with postoperative anti-PF4/heparin antibody production. Moreover, the preoperative frequency of PF4-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) was also not associated with postoperative levels of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies; however, this was only completed on five patients and so the sample size should be increased before any meaningful conclusions can be drawn. We also demonstrated that proliferation increases 5–6 days following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we conclude that preoperative proliferation is unable to predict postoperative anti-PF4/heparin antibody production in this cohort of patients. Due to the small sample size, we are unable to make conclusive statements regarding the relationship between preoperative ASC frequency and postoperative anti-PF4/heparin antibody production. Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, however, may mobilize the postoperative immune cell repertoire to become activated against the self-protein PF4 and may therefore contribute to the HIT immune response.

Heparin is an anticoagulant widely administered to patients undergoing major orthopedic or cardiac surgery. Though heparin is effective at preventing thrombosis, it is paradoxically associated with the development of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT is strongly associated with thrombotic complications and is an adverse drug reaction that occurs when heparin binds to the self-protein, platelet factor 4 (PF4) and forms immunogenic multimolecular complexes. As a result, anti-PF4/heparin antibodies are formed, which bind to these complexes, and can cross-linking Fc receptors on platelets and monocytes causing intense platelet activation, thrombocytopenia, and thrombosis. Patients who receive heparin frequently form antibodies against these PF4/heparin complexes; however, most of these antibodies do not cause HIT. Over-diagnosis of HIT is common due to the detection of clinically insignificant non-pathogenic anti-PF4/heparin antibodies. Current enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) cannot distinguish between pathogenic and non-pathogenic anti-PF4/heparin antibodies and will give a false positive result in the presence of the clinically insignificant non-pathogenic anti-PF4/heparin antibodies. Further functional testing is required to identify samples containing the pathogenic anti-PF4/heparin antibodies that will lead to HIT; however, these tests are not readily available in most centres, and delay timely diagnosis. There is little known about the differences between pathogenic and non-pathogenic HIT antibodies. The identification of antigenic determinations of pathogenic HIT antibodies binding to PF4 from this project will have direct implications for patient care. We will be able to accurately and rapidly identify “true” HIT patients from learning more about the pathogenic HIT antibody epitope. / Dissertation / Doctor of Science (PhD) / At least 30% of patients admitted into the hospital will be exposed to the anticoagulant, heparin. 1-3% of these patients develop heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT): an adverse drug reaction. HIT is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients receiving heparin if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. HIT occurs when patients form antibodies against the platelet protein, platelet factor 4, in complex with heparin leading to an immune response. However, most heparin-exposed patients produce these antibodies but do not have HIT. Current rapid and available diagnostics tools cannot distinguish between antibodies that can or cannot cause the disease. To improve HIT diagnosis, we will identify the molecular differences between the antibodies that cause HIT and those that do not. From this, we can develop a new diagnostic assay that will be able to dictate whether the antibodies found in patients are specific for HIT.

La réponse immune sous héparine (H) est associée à la synthèse d’anticorps (Ac) d’isotype IgG dirigés contre le facteur plaquettaire 4 (FP4) modifié par l’héparine. Ces anticorps se fixent par leur fragment Fc aux récepteurs FcγRIIa des plaquettes et induisent une forte activation plaquettaire. Les héparines de bas poids moléculaire sont constituées d’un mélange hétérogène d’oligosaccharides (OS) dont la structure varie en fonction de leur nombre de sucres et de groupements sulfates. Nous avons montré que seuls les OS ayant dix groupements sulfates ou plus, peuvent modifier le FP4 et permettre la fixation des Ac héparine-dépendants. La chirurgie cardiaque est associée à une forte activation plaquettaire et les patients sont exposés à de fortes concentrations d’héparine qui est neutralisée en fin d’intervention par le sulfate de protamine (SP). Alors que 30 à 50 % d’entre eux développent des Ac anti H/FP4 nous avons montré que 25% développent également des Ac dirigés contre les complexes H/SP et que ces Ac sont capables in vitro d’induire une activation plaquettaire. Le rôle de ces Ac in vivo reste cependant discuté. / The immune response under heparin (H) treatment is associated with IgG antibodies (Abs) synthesis against heparin-modified Platelet Factor 4 (PF4). These Abs bind FcγRIIa receptors via their Fc fragment and promote strong platelet activation. Low Molecular Weight Heparins are complex mixtures of polysaccharide fragments. These oligosaccharides (OS) have a variable structure due to variations in the type of sugar units and the number of sulphate groups. We demonstrated that OS longer than 10 saccharides and with a large number of sulphate groups are likely able to modify PF4 and allow the binding of heparin-dependent Abs. Cardiac surgery is associated with strong platelet activation and high doses of unfractionated heparin are administered to patients during surgery, and then neutralized with protamine sulfate (SP) at the end of the intervention. 30 to 50% of patients develop anti H/PF4 Abs, but we demonstrated that 25% do synthethized anti H/SP Abs able to activate platelets in vitro. The pathogenic role of these Abs to H/SP in vivo is controversial.

(v AJ) The aim of this diploma thesis was namely to find out whether the saline solution, intended for the continuous flushing of arterial catheters, is as effective in preventing arterial blockage as compared to saline solution with heparin. In this diploma thesis I also deal with the comparison of material consumption by using both methods of flushing arterial sets and the financial costs associated with them. Patients with diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock were included in the study. Pseudorandomization was used to group 52 patients into either experimental and control group. The testing was performed using a non-parametric Wilcoxon two-assay test and Fisher precision test. Based on the results of my study, regard to the occurrence of complications (catheter closure) an arterial catheter flushing by saline solution is as effective as flushing by a saline solution with heparin. My research also confirmed that the use of saline solution as a flushing solution is less costly (regarding material) and therefore it is advisable to use saline solution for flushing arterial catheters. Based on my study, saline solution is now used as a flushing solution of arterial catheters at an anesthesiology-resuscitation department, where only a saline solution with heparin was used for the flushing. Using saline...

Les Thrombopénies Induites par l’Héparine (TIH) sont une complication sévère des traitements par l’héparine dues à des IgG qui ciblent le facteur plaquettaire 4 modifié par l’héparine (FP4/H) et induisent une activation cellulaire via FcγRIIA, conduisant à des complications thrombotiques. Nous avons caractérisé 5B9, IgG1 monoclonale chimérique anti-FP4/H mimant parfaitement les anticorps de TIH et qui est donc un excellent outil pour étudier la physiopathologie des TIH. La pathogénicité des anticorps (Ac) de TIH implique leur fixation aux FcγR. Nous avons montré que le clivage de la région charnière des IgG de TIH par IdeS inhibe ces interactions IgG-FcγR et supprime la pathogénicité des Ac. Nous avons aussi construit un Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) antithrombotique, en bioconjuguant le tirofiban (inhibiteur de l’agrégation plaquettaire) et 5B9 déglycosylé grâce à un linker clivable par la thrombine, protéase générée en excès lors d’une TIH. / Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare but severe complication of heparin treatments. HIT is due to IgG antibodies specific to platelet factor 4 modified by heparin (PF4/H), which activate blood cells, (especially platelets) after binding to FcγRIIA, this process explaining frequent thrombotic complications. We characterized 5B9, a chimeric IgG1 targeting PF4/H and which fully mimics human HIT antibodies. Therefore, 5B9 is a perfect tool for studying the physiopathology of HIT. IgG antibodies to PF4/H are pathogenic by interacting with FcγR. In this regard, we showed that cleavage by IdeS, a bacterial protease, of the hinge of anti-PF4/H IgG, fully suppressed their pathogenicity. Furthermore, we designed an antithrombotic Antibody-Drug Conjugate that combined tirofiban, a GPIIbIIIa inhibitor with deglycosylated 5B9 using a thrombin cleavable linker.