Mutations in RASGRP2 gene identified in patients misdiagnosed as Glanzmann thrombasthenia patients

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a severe inherited platelet function disorder (IPFD), presenting with bleeding diathesis and impaired platelet aggregation, is caused by mutations in the genes ITGA2B or ITGB3.

We aimed to study the genetic cause of IPFD mimicking GT.

During 2017-2019, 16 patients were referred to our tertiary center with bleeding symptoms, impaired platelet aggregation and normal platelet count and size.

Using flow cytometry, 13/16 patients were diagnosed with GT, yet three patients displayed normal surface expression of the integrins αIIbβ3 and αvβ3, as well as normal integrin αIIbβ3 activation following incubation with the activating monoclonal antibody anti-LIBS6, while platelet activation following ADP or epinephrine was impaired. Whole exome sequencing detected 2 variants in RASGRP2 gene in all 3 patients.

Both RASGRP2 mutations predicted frameshift, premature stop codon (p. I427Mfs*92 and p. R494Afs*54, respectively) and truncated calcium-sensing guanine nucleotide exchange factor [CalDAG-GEFI]- the major signaling molecule that regulates integrin-mediated aggregation and granule secretion, causing IPFD-18.

Patients who suffer from bleeding diathesis without immune dysregulation, may be mistakenly diagnosed as GT. Further studies are required to confirm the diagnosis of specific IPFD.