Cysteine-mutations in von Willebrand factor associated with increased clearance

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder caused by the decrease of functional von Willebrand factor (VWF). Low levels of VWF can result from decreased synthesis, impaired secretion, increased clearance or combinations thereof. Several mutations lead to impaired synthesis or secretion of VWF, however, little is known about the survival of VWF in the circulation.

To evaluate the effect of several VWF mutations on VWF clearance.

The effect of three cysteine-mutations (C1130F, C1149R or C2671Y) on the in vivo survival of VWF was studied in patients carrying these mutations and in a VWF-deficient mice model.

In patients carrying these mutations, we observed increased propeptide/mature VWF ratios and rapid disappearance of VWF from the circulation after desmopressin treatment. Detailed analysis of in vivo clearance of recombinant VWF in a VWF-deficient mice model revealed a fourfold increased clearance rate of the mutants. The mutations C1130F, C1149R and C2671Y are each associated with reduced survival of VWF in the circulation. Detailed analysis of the recombinant mutant VWF demonstrated that increased clearance was not due to increased proteolysis by ADAMTS-13. We did not identify functional or structural characteristics that the mutant proteins have in common and could be associated with the phenomenon of increased clearance.

Cysteine-mutations in VWF may result in reduced in vivo survival. The observation that various mutations are associated with increased in vivo clearance may have major implications for the therapeutic strategies that rely on the rise of endogenous VWF after desmopressin administration.