Factor V Leiden and activated protein C resistance

Olivier Segers1, Elisabetta Castoldi

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Insights

Activated protein C (APC) resistance, linked to the FV Leiden mutation, is a major risk factor for venous thrombosis. This review covers APC pathway research, resistance mechanisms, and clinical significance.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Hematology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Activated protein C (APC) is a key anticoagulant enzyme.
  • APC inactivates coagulation factors Va and VIIIa, regulating thrombin generation.
  • Deficiencies in protein C or S cause severe thrombotic disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the protein C pathway and APC resistance.
  • To summarize current knowledge on FV Leiden mutation and its impact.
  • To discuss the clinical significance and ongoing research in APC resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on APC, protein C pathway, and thrombosis.
  • Analysis of genetic and molecular mechanisms of APC resistance.
  • Evaluation of clinical data linking APC resistance to venous thrombosis.

Main Results:

  • APC resistance is a significant risk factor for venous thrombosis.
  • The FV Arg506Gln mutation (FV Leiden) is the most common cause of APC resistance.
  • Understanding APC resistance has advanced knowledge of coagulation and thrombosis.

Conclusions:

  • APC resistance, particularly FV Leiden, is crucial in thrombosis pathogenesis.
  • Further research continues to elucidate the protein C pathway and its clinical implications.
  • This review provides a comprehensive overview of APC resistance research.

Related Concept Videos

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis01:20

Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis

Blood clotting or coagulation involves extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, which ultimately merge into the common pathway, forming a fibrin clot.
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which forms a...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
Disorders of Hemostasis01:24

Disorders of Hemostasis

Hemostasis, the process that stops bleeding after a blood vessel injury, is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system. However, disorders of hemostasis can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to either excessive clotting or bleeding. These disorders can be broadly classified into thromboembolic disorders and bleeding disorders.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants01:18

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...