Project description:BackgroundFactor (F) XI deficiency is associated with increased bleeding risk in some individuals. Neither FXI levels nor clinical clotting assays predict the bleeding risk. Compared with controls, FXI-deficient bleeders have reduced clot formation, decreased fibrin network density, and increased susceptibility to fibrinolysis. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) was recently implicated as a modifying factor in individuals with bleeding of unknown cause.ObjectivesTo determine the potential of TFPI in modifying the bleeding risk in FXI-deficient individuals.MethodsThe effects of TFPI on thrombin generation and clot formation, structure, and fibrinolysis in FXI-deficient plasma were measured in vitro in the absence or presence of inhibitory anti-TFPI antibody or exogenous recombinant TFPIα. Total plasma TFPI concentration was measured in 2 independent cohorts of controls and FXI-deficient individuals classified as bleeders or nonbleeders (cohort 1: 10 controls and 16 FXI-deficient individuals; cohort 2: 48 controls and 57 FXI-deficient individuals) and correlated with ex vivo plasma clot formation and fibrinolysis parameters associated with bleeding risk.ResultsIn an in vitro FXI deficiency model, inhibition of TFPI enhanced thrombin generation and clot formation, increased the network density, and decreased fibrinolysis, whereas an increase in TFPI had the opposite effects. Compared with controls, plasma from FXI-deficient bleeders had higher TFPI concentration. Total plasma TFPI concentrations correlated with parameters from ex vivo clotting and fibrinolysis assays that differentiate FXI-deficient bleeders and nonbleeders.ConclusionCoagulation and fibrinolysis parameters that differentiate FXI-deficient nonbleeders and bleeders were altered by plasma TFPIα. Total plasma TFPI was increased in FXI-deficient bleeders. TFPI may modify the bleeding risk in FXI-deficient individuals.
Project description:Skeletal muscle myosin (SkM) has been shown to possess procoagulant activity; however, the mechanisms of this coagulation-enhancing activity involving plasma coagulation pathways and factors are incompletely understood. Here, we discovered direct interactions between immobilized SkM and coagulation factor XI (FXI) using biolayer interferometry (Kd = 0.2 nM). In contrast, we show that prekallikrein, a FXI homolog, did not bind to SkM, reflecting the specificity of SkM for FXI binding. We also found that the anti-FXI monoclonal antibody, mAb 1A6, which recognizes the Apple (A) 3 domain of FXI, potently inhibited binding of FXI to immobilized SkM, implying that SkM binds FXI A3 domain. In addition, we show that SkM enhanced FXI activation by thrombin in a concentration-dependent manner. We further used recombinant FXI chimeric proteins in which each of the four A domains of the heavy chain (designated A1 through A4) was individually replaced with the corresponding A domain from prekallikrein to investigate SkM-mediated enhancement of thrombin-induced FXI activation. These results indicated that activation of two FXI chimeras with substitutions of either the A3 domains or A4 domains was not enhanced by SkM, whereas substitution of the A2 domain did not reduce the thrombin-induced activation compared with wildtype FXI. These data strongly suggest that functional interaction sites on FXI for SkM involve the A3 and A4 domains. Thus, this study is the first to reveal and support the novel intrinsic blood coagulation pathway concept that the procoagulant mechanisms of SkM include FXI binding and enhancement of FXI activation by thrombin.
Project description:In this study, we tested the hypothesis that factor XI (FXI) activation occurs in plasma following activation of the extrinsic pathway by thrombin-mediated feedback activation. We used two different assays: (i) a direct measurement of activated FXI by ELISA and (ii) a functional assay that follows the activation of the coagulation cascade in the presence or absence of a FXI inhibiting antibody by monitoring thrombin activity. We failed to detect any FXI activation or functional contribution to the activation of the coagulation cascade in platelet poor or platelet-rich plasma, when activation was initiated by thrombin or tissue factor. Additionally, we found that, in the absence of a contact system inhibitor during blood draw, contact activation of FXI can mistakenly appear as thrombin- or tissue-factor-dependent activation. Thus, activation of FXI by thrombin in solution or on the surface of activated platelets does not appear to play a significant role in a plasma environment. These results call for reevaluation of the physiological role of the contact activation system in blood coagulation.
Project description:Coagulation factor XI (FXI) is a covalent homodimer consisting of two identical subunits of 80 kDa linked by a disulfide bond formed by Cys-321 within the Apple 4 domain of each subunit. Because FXI(C321S) is a noncovalent dimer, residues within the interface between the two subunits must mediate its homodimeric structure. The crystal structure of FXI demonstrates formation of salt bridges between Lys-331 of one subunit and Glu-287 of the other subunit and hydrophobic interactions at the interface of the Apple 4 domains involving Ile-290, Leu-284, and Tyr-329. FXI(C321S), FXI(C321S,K331A), FXI(C321S,E287A), FXI(C321S,I290A), FXI(C321S,Y329A), FXI(C321S,L284A), FXI(C321S,K331R), and FXI(C321S,H343A) were expressed in HEK293 cells and characterized using size exclusion chromatography, analytical ultracentrifugation, electron microscopy, and functional assays. Whereas FXI(C321S) and FXI(C321S,H343A) existed in monomer/dimer equilibrium (K(d) approximately 40 nm), all other mutants were predominantly monomers with impaired dimer formation by analytical ultracentrifugation (K(d)=3-38 microm). When converted to the active enzyme, FXIa, all the monomeric mutants activated FIX similarly to wild-type dimeric FXIa. In contrast, these monomeric mutants could not be activated efficiently by FXIIa, thrombin, or autoactivation in the presence of dextran sulfate. We conclude that salt bridges formed between Lys-331 of one subunit and Glu-287 of the other together with hydrophobic interactions at the interface, involving residues Ile-290, Leu-284, and Tyr-329, are essential for homodimer formation. The dimeric structure of FXI is essential for normal proteolytic activation of FXI by FXIIa, thrombin, or FXIa either in solution or on an anionic surface but not for FIX activation by FXIa in solution.
Project description:Anticoagulation therapy has undergone significant evolution, marked by the emergence of direct oral anticoagulants with distinct advantages. Despite these advancements, challenges persist in managing residual thrombotic and bleeding risks, particularly among vulnerable populations. The pursuit of alternative drugs has honed in on factor XI/XIa inhibitors. This comprehensive review delves into several key aspects regarding this new target: (i) the role of factor XI in the coagulation cascade; (ii) the genetic evidence and pathophysiologic rationale supporting factor XI inhibition as a therapeutic target; (iii) an exploration of the various types of factor XI/XIa inhibitors currently under investigation; (iv) potential applications of these medications, spanning thromboprophylaxis after orthopedic surgery, stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, secondary prevention after acute coronary syndrome, non-cardioembolic stroke, thromboprophylaxis after foreign material implantation, end-stage renal disease, and patients with cancer; and (v) an overview of ongoing studies, recent findings, and the future trajectory of research into these drugs.
Project description:Kallikrein (PKa), generated by activation of its precursor prekallikrein (PK), plays a role in the contact activation phase of coagulation and functions in the kallikrein-kinin system to generate bradykinin. The general dogma has been that the contribution of PKa to the coagulation cascade is dependent on its action on FXII. Recently this dogma has been challenged by studies in human plasma showing thrombin generation due to PKa activity on FIX and also by murine studies showing formation of FIXa-antithrombin complexes in FXI deficient mice. In this study, we demonstrate high-affinity binding interactions between PK(a) and FIX(a) using surface plasmon resonance and show that these interactions are likely to occur under physiological conditions. Furthermore, we directly demonstrate dose- and time-dependent cleavage of FIX by PKa in a purified system by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis and chromogenic assays. By using normal pooled plasma and a range of coagulation factor-deficient plasmas, we show that this action of PKa on FIX not only results in thrombin generation, but also promotes fibrin formation in the absence of FXII or FXI. Comparison of the kinetics of either FXIa- or PKa-induced activation of FIX suggest that PKa could be a significant physiological activator of FIX. Our data indicate that the coagulation cascade needs to be redefined to indicate that PKa can directly activate FIX. The circumstances that drive PKa substrate specificity remain to be determined.
Project description:BackgroundIn healthy individuals, plasma levels of clotting proteins naturally vary within a range of 50% to 150% of their mean values. We do not know how these variations modify thrombin generation.ObjectivesTo assess the impact of protein level variations on simulated thrombin generation in normal and factor (F)VIII-, FIX-, or FXI-deficient blood.MethodsWe used a mathematical model of flow-mediated coagulation to simulate thrombin generation with all possible combinations of clotting protein variations within the normal range and for various tissue factor levels. We selected, analyzed, and ranked combinations that enhanced thrombin generation compared with baseline.ResultsProtein variations most strongly affected thrombin generation at intermediate tissue factor levels. Low tissue factor levels prevented coagulation initiation, while high tissue factor levels always triggered thrombin generation. At intermediate levels, we identified protein variations that substantially modified thrombin generation. Low-normal FV shortened lag times and increased thrombin generation, whereas high-normal FV lengthened lag times and reduced thrombin generation. With severe FVIII and FIX deficiencies, low-normal tissue factor pathway inhibitor α and antithrombin amplified the effect of low-normal FV. For moderate FVIII and FIX deficiencies, high-normal tissue factor pathway inhibitor α and antithrombin enhanced the impact of high-normal FV in reducing thrombin production. In normal and FXI-deficient blood, high-normal FVIII and FIX significantly boosted thrombin generation.ConclusionOur mathematical model predicted how variations in clotting protein levels, within the normal range, could contribute to the variability of bleeding phenotypes observed with clotting factor deficiencies. Our study generated experimentally testable hypotheses that could aid in developing new therapies toward normal hemostasis.
Project description:Activation of human blood coagulation factor XI zymogen to factor XIa plays a significant role in the upstream coagulation pathway, in which factor XIa activates factor IX zymogen. The mechanistic details of the proteolytic activation of factor XI by the activating enzyme thrombin are not well-understood at atomic level. In this study, we employed a combination of molecular docking and microsecond time-scale molecular dynamics simulations to identify the key regions of interaction between fXI and thrombin. The activating complex between the substrate and enzyme was modeled to represent the initial acylation step of the serine-protease hydrolysis mechanism. The proposed solution structural complex, fIX:fIIa, obtained from 3 microseconds of MD refinement, suggests that the activation of factor XI is mediated by thrombin's anion binding exosite-II interactions with A3 and A4 domains. We predict that the two positively charged arginine residues (Arg409 and Arg413) in the exosite-2 region, the β- and γ-insertion loops of thrombin play an important structural role in the initial activating complex between fXI and thrombin.
Project description:Hereditary factor XI (FXI) deficiency is characterized as an autosomal mild to moderate coagulopathy in humans and domestic animals. Coagulation testing revealed FXI deficiency in a core family of Maine Coon cats (MCCs) in the United States. Factor XI-deficient MCCs were homozygous for a guanine to adenine transition resulting in a methionine substitution for the highly conserved valine-516 in the FXI catalytic domain. Immunoblots detected FXI of normal size and quantity in plasmas of MCCs homozygous for V516M. Some FXI-deficient MCCs experienced excessive post-operative/traumatic bleeding. Screening of 263 MCCs in Europe revealed a mutant allele frequency of 0.232 (23.2%). However, V516M was not found among 100 cats of other breeds. Recombinant feline FXI-M516 (fFXI-M516) expressed ~4% of the activity of wild-type fFXI-V516 in plasma clotting assays. Furthermore, fFXIa-M516 cleaved the chromogenic substrate S-2366 with ~4.3-fold lower catalytic efficacy (kcat/Km) than fFXIa-V516, supporting a conformational alteration of the protease active site. The rate of FIX activation by fFXIa-M516 was reduced >3-fold compared with fFXIa-V516. The common missense variant FXI-V516M causes a cross-reactive material positive FXI deficiency in MCCs that is associated with mild-moderate bleeding tendencies. Given the prevalence of the variant in MCCs, genotyping is recommended prior to invasive procedures or breeding.
Project description:The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between factor XI (FXI) deficiency and the risks of bleeding and cardiovascular (CV) events. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS). We identified adults with FXI deficiency (severe: <15%, partial: 15 to <50%, any deficiency: <50%) that had been tested for FXI between 2007 and 2018 and matched to patients from the general MHS population. We estimated 10-year risks of outcomes using the Kaplan-Meier approach. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, we compared outcomes among patients with versus without FXI deficiency. Less than 10% of patients tested for FXI activity had activity levels <50% (mean age: 39 years; 72.2% females). Compared with the general population, patients with any FXI deficiency were at higher risk of severe bleeding (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-5.81; 10-year risk: 1.90%, 95% CI: 0.50-3.20% vs. 0.90%, 95% CI: 0.50-1.30%) and clinically relevant nonsevere bleeding (CRNSB) (aHR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.08-1.97; 10-year risk: 11.60%, 95% CI: 8.30-14.80% vs. 9.20%, 95% CI: 8.00-10.40%). Severe FXI deficiency was associated with a greater risk of CRNSB. While few CV events (N = 2) and venous thromboembolisms (VTE) (N = 1) were observed in the FXI overall deficient group, there was a nonsignificant negative association between any FXI deficiency and CV events (aHR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.13-2.36) and VTEs (aHR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.06-3.47). Overall FXI deficiency was associated with an increased risk of severe bleeding and CRNSB. Further research is warranted to explore the lower risk of CV and VTE among patients with FXI deficiency compared with the general population.