Congenital hypofibrinogenemia with bleeding risk: mutations in the FGA, FGB, and FGG genes

Congenital hypofibrinogenemia is a genetic disorder caused by defects in the fibrinogen gene. We identified a case of congenital hypofibrinogenemia with mutations in the FGA, FGB, and FGG genes associated with bleeding risk and conducted experimental studies to explore the condition's pathogenesis.

To investigate the bleeding risk in the proband, we performed coagulation screening and genetic analysis, supplemented by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, electron microscopy, sequence conservation analysis, and thromboelastography to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism.

Fibrinogen levels in the proband's plasma were measured by 3 methods: 0.81 g/L (Clauss assay), 0.95 g/L (prothrombin time derived), and 0.87 g/L (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The proband and her father had c.37T > C (p.Tyr13His) in the FGG gene; c.959-16_959-13delTTTG deletion mutation, c.567C > T (p.Ser189=), c.1125C > T (p.Tyr375=), c.1433G > A (p.Arg478Lys), and c.1433G > A (p.Arg478Lys) in the FGB gene; and c.991A > G (p.Thr331Ala) in the FGA gene. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed that the proband's fibrin fibers were fine, with a loose spatial structure and increased pore size.

The c.959-16_959-13delTTTG deletion is the main cause of congenital hypofibrinogenemia in this family. The γTyr13His heterozygous mutation may have a minor impact on the structure and function of the fibrinogen molecule. The Bβ(Ser189=, Tyr375=, Arg478Lys) and AαThr331Ala mutations may have a certain impact on the proband's clinical phenotype.