Mutation and ADAMTS13-dependent modulation of disease severity in a mouse model for von Willebrand disease type 2B

Blood. 2010 Jun 10;115(23):4870-7. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-11-254193. Epub 2010 Mar 3.

Abstract

Von Willebrand disease (VWD)-type 2B originates from a gain-of-function mutation in von Willebrand factor (VWF), resulting in enhanced platelet binding. Clinical manifestations include increased bleeding tendency, loss of large multimers, thrombocytopenia, and circulating platelet aggregates. We developed a mouse model to study phenotypic consequences of VWD-type 2B mutations in murine VWF: mVWF/R1306Q and mVWF/V1316M. Both mutations allow normal multimerization but are associated with enhanced ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation, typical for VWD-type 2B. In vivo expression resulted in thrombocytopenia and circulating aggregates, both of which were more pronounced for mVWF/V1316M. Furthermore, both mutants did not support correction of bleeding time or arterial vessel occlusion in a thrombosis model. They further displayed a 2- to 3-fold reduced half-life and induced a 3- to 6-fold increase in number of giant platelets compared with wild-type VWF. Loss of large multimers was observed in 50% of the mice. The role of ADAMTS13 was investigated by expressing both mutants in VWF/ADAMTS13 double-deficient mice. ADAMTS13 deficiency resulted in more and larger circulating platelet aggregates for both mutants, whereas the full multimer range remained present in all mice. Thus, we established a mouse model for VWD-type 2B and found that phenotype depends on mutation and ADAMTS13.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADAMTS13 Protein
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bleeding Time
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Metalloendopeptidases* / genetics
  • Metalloendopeptidases* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Mutation, Missense*
  • Platelet Aggregation / drug effects
  • Platelet Aggregation / genetics
  • Protein Multimerization*
  • Ristocetin / adverse effects
  • Ristocetin / pharmacology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Thrombocytopenia / genetics
  • Thrombocytopenia / metabolism
  • Thrombosis / chemically induced
  • Thrombosis / genetics
  • Thrombosis / metabolism
  • von Willebrand Disease, Type 2* / genetics
  • von Willebrand Disease, Type 2* / metabolism
  • von Willebrand Factor* / genetics
  • von Willebrand Factor* / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • von Willebrand Factor
  • Ristocetin
  • ADAMTS13 protein, mouse
  • Metalloendopeptidases
  • ADAMTS13 Protein