Platelet GP IIIa polymorphism HPA-1 (PlA) protects against subarachnoid hemorrhage

Few genetic modifications have been identified to be associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), most of them playing a role in the formation or size of aneurysms.

We evaluated the role of common and functional polymorphisms affecting the main platelet adhesive glycoproteins (GP) (GPIIIa: HPA-1; GPIa: HPA-5 and C807T; GPIbalpha: HPA-2 and VNTR) in the risk for development of the disease and in the severity of the onset. The study was performed in 103 patients with SAH, 103 matched controls, and 473 subjects from the general population.

The HPA-1b (PlA2) allele significantly protected against SAH (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.96; P=0.037). Interestingly, patients carrying this allele displayed larger aneurysms, but the extension of their hemorrhage and the clinical grade at presentation was significantly lower when compared with patients HPA-1 a/a (11.9+/-2.8 mm versus 8.8+/-2.2 mm, P=0.0001. Fisher grade < or =2: 68.4% versus 20%; P=0.0001; Hunt and Hess score

We present the first evidence suggesting a protective role for the platelet GPIIIa HPA-1b allele in SAH. The suggested platelet hyper-reactivity determined by this allele could reduce the risk to suffer SAH, specially if the aneurysm is small, attenuate the severity of the hemorrhage, and reduce the clinical grade at presentation. This effect might be amplified by the simultaneous combination with the GPIbalpha HPA-2b allele.