Higher Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Levels Research Articles

Fibrinolysis is impaired in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia

BackgroundPatients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have an increased risk of thrombosis, which may be due to altered fibrinolysis. ObjectivesTo elucidate the clinical impact of delayed fibrinolysis in ITP patients. MethodsA turbidimetric clot formation and lysis assay and a fluorometric plasmin generation (PG) assay were performed, and levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), tPA-PAI-1 complexes, α2-antiplasmin, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor, and D-dimer were assessed in 86 adult primary ITP patients and 78 healthy controls (HCs). ResultsITP patients showed significantly delayed clot formation, increased clot density, and prolonged clot lysis time (CLT) compared with HCs, with a median (IQR) CLT of 28.0 (13.7-34.7) minutes in patients and 17.3 (12.0-28.0) minutes in HCs, while in the PG assay, only the lag time was prolonged. In ITP patients compared with controls, PAI-1 was higher (1.2 [0.8-2.6] vs 1.1 [0.6-2.1] U/mL) and tPA antigen and activity were lower (tPA antigen: 2.6 [1.1-4.4] vs 3.7 [3.2-4.7] ng/mL; tPA activity ≤ 0 U/mL: 26% vs 7%). TPA-PAI-1 complex levels were positively associated with CLT in multiple linear regression analysis (β = 0.241; P = .019), whereas PG parameters were not associated with CLT. Six patients who developed thrombosis during follow-up had higher levels of tPA-PAI-1 complexes. ConclusionProlonged CLT and delayed onset of PG may indicate a hypofibrinolytic tendency in ITP patients, as also indicated by high PAI-1 and low tPA levels. No association was found between fibrinolytic potential and the bleeding phenotype, whereas higher tPA-PAI-1 complex levels were associated with prolonged CLT and increased in patients with future thrombosis.

Increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and its associations with metabolic risk in healthy young adults with early life stress

ObjectivesWe aimed to characterize the interplay between early life stress (ELS), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a major inhibitor of the fibrinolytic system implicated in cardiometabolic diseases. We also examined the understudied intersection of ELS, physical activity and PAI-1. MethodsHealthy young adults ages 18–40 (N=200; 68% female) were recruited from the community. Participants with ELS (N=118) experienced childhood maltreatment, and the majority (n=92) also experienced childhood parental loss. Control participants (N=82) had no history of childhood maltreatment or parental loss. Participants had no current cardiometabolic or thrombotic conditions. Fasting plasma samples were assessed for markers of metabolic risk and total PAI-1 using the Bio-Plex Pro Human Diabetes Panel (Bio-Rad Laboratories). A composite metabolic risk z-score (MetS risk) was computed from the mean standardized z-scores of waist-to-height ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and HLD cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and hemoglobin A1c. ResultsWe found that a history of ELS was linked to both higher PAI-1 levels and a higher MetS risk score. ELS was associated with a higher MetS Z-score in adulthood via increased circulating PAI-1 levels (Average Causal Mediation Effect [ACME]= 0.07, p = 0.036). ELS was also linked to increased PAI-1 levels via greater MetS z-scores (ACME = 0.02, p < 0.001). There was a significant interaction effect of ELS and exercise on PAI-1 levels (p = 0.03), such that engaging in higher levels of daily exercise was linked to lower PAI-1 levels in individuals with ELS. ConclusionHealthy young adults with ELS have elevated PAI-1 levels and metabolic risk scores. Among individuals with ELS, exercise is linked to lower PAI-1 levels, suggesting a potential direction for early intervention.

Abstract 1103: The Relationship Between PAI-1, Corticosterone, And Splenic Activity: Data From The Washington, D.C. Cardiovascular Health And Needs Assessment

Background: Chronic psychosocial stress (CS) has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) which disproportionally affects African Americans (AA) at least partially via activation of the neuro-hematopoietic axis. Prior studies suggest plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is associated with hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis, and major adverse cardiac events. Yet, little is known about the connection between CS and PAI-1 and its potential association with the neuro-hematopoietic axis in AA. Research Question: We examined associations between measures of CS and PAI-1 in a community-based cohort of AA residing in resource-limited Washington, D.C. neighborhoods, at risk for CVD. Methods: Participants were enrolled in the Washington, D.C. CV Health and Needs Assessment (DC-CHNA). CS was evaluated using the Cohen Stress Scale questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were taken to measure circulating levels of PAI-1 as well as cortisol and corticosterone, known biomarkers of stress. Participants underwent 18 FDG PET/CT to measure metabolic activity of the amygdala, bone marrow, and spleen, indicators of the neuro-hematopoietic axis. Multivariable linear regression analyses were adjusted for BMI and ASCVD 10-year risk score. Results: The DC-CHNA consisted of AA, the majority of whom were women, (N=60, mean age: 61±10.52, mean BMI: 33±7.85) at intermediate risk for CVD. Higher CS scores associated with higher PAI-1 levels (β=0.32, p=0.02). Higher PAI-1 associated with higher corticosterone (β=0.35, p=0.01) but not cortisol. Additionally, higher corticosterone associated with splenic activity (β=0.46, p=0.03) but not amygdala or bone marrow activity. Subsequently, higher PAI-1 also associated with higher splenic activity (β=0.22, p=0.01), while bone marrow activity was shown to be trending (β=0.14, p=0.06). Conclusions: We found that chronic psychosocial stress is associated with higher PAI-1 levels, which are associated with corticosterone and splenic activity, thus providing a potential link to how CS contributes to disparate CVD risk and health outcomes. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the predictive and potential therapeutic value of PAI-1 in individuals at risk for CVD.

The Influence of Hyperthyroidism on the Coagulation and on the Risk of Thrombosis.

Introduction: Apart from the well-known fact that hyperthyroidism induces multiple prothrombotic disorders, there is no consensus in clinical practice as to the impact of hyperthyroidism on the risk of thrombosis. The aim of this study was to examine the various hemostatic and immunologic parameters in patients with hyperthyroidism. Methods: Our study consists of a total of 200 patients comprised of 64 hyperthyroid patients, 68 hypothyroid patients, and 68 euthyroid controls. Patient thyroid status was determined with standard tests. Detailed hemostatic parameters and cardiolipin antibodies of each patient were determined. Results: The values of factor VIII (FVIII), the Von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and anticardiolipin antibodies of the IgM class were significantly higher in the hyperthyroid patients than in the hypothyroid patients and euthyroid controls. The rate of thromboembolic manifestations was much higher in hyperthyroid patients (6.25%) than in hypo-thyroid patients (2.9%) and euthyroid controls (1.4%). Among hyperthyroid patients with an FVIII value of ≥1.50 U/mL, thrombosis was recorded in 8.3%, while in hyperthyroid patients with FVIII value ≤ 1.50 U/mL the occurrence of thrombosis was not recorded. The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) was significantly higher (8.3%) in the hyperthyroid patients compared to the hypothyroid patients (1.5%) and euthyroid controls (0%). Conclusions: High levels of FVIII, vWF, fibrinogen, PAI-1, and anticardiolipin antibodies along with other hemostatic factors contribute to the presence of a hypercoaguable state in patients with hyperthyroidism. The risk of occurrence of thrombotic complications is especially pronounced in patients with a level of FVIII exceeding 150% and positive anticardiolipin antibodies of the IgM class. Patients with AF are at particularly high risk of thrombotic complications due to a hyperthyroid prothrombotic milieu.

Correlation of Serum Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 with Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure among Newly Diagnosed Primary Hypertensive Patients: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a serine protease inhibitor expressed in adipose tissue, causes inflammation in hypertension and vice versa. The excess adipose tissue increases the production of PAI-1. There have been no relevant studies conducted on PAI-1 in southern Odisha in relation to Body Mass Index (BMI) and hypertension. Aim: To compare the BMI, Waist Hip Ratio (WHR), Waist Circumference (WC), and serum levels of PAI-1 in hypertensive cases with controls, and also to correlate the serum level of PAI-1 with BMI and blood pressure. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with the Department of Medicine of MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, India from November 2020 to August 2021. A total of 45 newly diagnosed primary hypertensive patients and 43 healthy age and sex-matched individuals between the ages of 18 to 60 years were enrolled in the study. Serum PAI-1 was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). BMI, WC, hip circumference, WHR, and blood pressures of the controls as well as cases were recorded. Data were statistically analysed using the Student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The proportion of males was higher (56%) than females (44%). The cases had a significantly higher level of serum PAI-1 (203.36 ng/mL) compared to the control group (60.11 ng/mL) (p-value&lt;0.001). The cases had a higher BMI, WC (meters), and WHR compared to the control group. The serum PAI-1 level positively correlated with Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) (r-value=0.852, p-value&lt;0.001), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) (r-value=0.726, p-value=0.000), BMI (r-value=0.620, p-value=0.001), WC (r-value=0.444, p-value=0.002), and WHR (r-value=0.593, p-value&lt;0.001). Conclusion: A high serum PAI-1 level was found in the newly diagnosed hypertensive cases, and a significant positive correlation was observed between PAI-1 and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, along with BMI, WC, and WHR.

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Vitamin D Association in the Overweight and Obese Pediatric Population.

Childhood overweight and obesity have been described by the World Health Organization as noncommunicable diseases and among the greatest public health threats since they have reached epidemic proportions. A child with obesity risks becoming an adult with obesity and developing metabolic and hemostatic disorders which are the basis for the development of coronary heart diseases. Recently, a number of clinical reports have demonstrated that both an increase in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and a deficiency in 25OH-vitamin D3 (VD) are associated with an increase in thrombotic episodes. PAI-1 and VD levels were measured in 259 clinically overweight and obese children aged between 2 and 18 years enrolled in the Nutritional Education Program of the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute of Rome (Italy) and 80 normal-weight subjects. We observed increased HOMA-IR, PAI-1, and other inflammation indices associated with decreased VD levels when compared to normal-weight children. Our results demonstrated that overweight and obesity are correlated with higher levels of the inflammation index. Moreover, our patients show high PAI-1 and low VD levels, confirming the high thrombotic risk in our pediatric population.

Hemostatic system in Takotsubo patients at long-term follow-up: A hidden activation?

BackgroundTakotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTS) has long been considered a benign condition, despite recurrent events and long-term adverse outcomes are often reported. Endothelial damage, blood hyperviscosity, and platelet activation described in acute phase persist in long-term follow-up; however, TTS pathophysiology is still not fully understood. Here, we explored the hemostatic system at a median of 3.1 years after TTS to uncover additional long-lasting changes in these patients. MethodsWe assessed hemostatic parameters in women with TTS (n = 23) or coronary artery disease (CAD; n = 31) and in control women (n = 26) age-matched, by thromboelastographic analysis, prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) coagulation assays and microparticle exposing Tissue Factor (MP-TF). Functional fibrinogen and fibrin polymerization were analyzed by Clauss method and spectrophotometry, respectively. Platelet reactivity was evaluated by light transmission aggregometry, whereas plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured by ELISA kit. ResultsCompared with control subjects, TTS patients exhibit an accelerated clot formation, higher percentage of fibrin polymerization and higher PAI-1 levels. Compared with CAD, TTS patients showed sustained residual platelet activation but decreased functional fibrinogen, fibrin polymerization and MP-TF levels, prolonged aPTT and a marked BDNF increase. ConclusionsThe long-term activation of hemostatic system observed in TTS patients compared to control subjects suggests a persistent humoral abnormality that may be related to the propensity for TTS recurrence. The higher residual platelet activity observed in TTS than in CAD patients invites investigation on TTS-tailored antiplatelet therapy potentially needed to prevent TTS adverse outcomes.

Relationship between plasma levels of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue-type plasminogen activator and deep venous thrombosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective: To investigate the plasma levels of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and their relationship with deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs. Methods: A case-control study was conducted to retrospectively select 32 SLE patients with deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities (thrombus group) admitted to Liaocheng People's Hospital in Shandong Province from June 2018 to June 2021, including 4 males and 28 females, with a mean age of (49.7±5.5) years. Meanwhile, 64 SLE patients without deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities (control group) were also selected, including 11 males and 53 females, with a mean age of (50.8±5.5) years. The plasma levels of TAFI, PAI-1 and t-PA of the two groups were compared. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the correlation of TAFI, PAI-1 and t-PA with SLE in patients. Results: The plasma levels of TAFI, PAI-1 and t-PA were (32.77±5.17) mg/L, (29.43±5.51) μg/L and (6.58±1.40) μg/L in the thrombotic group, while the plasma levels of TAFI, PAI-1 and t-PA in the control group were (23.56±4.40) mg/L, (19.00±4.40) μg/L and (9.40±2.23) μg/L. The levels of TAFI and PAI-1 in the thrombotic group were higher than those in the control group, while the level of t-PA was lower than that in the control group (all P<0.05). The results of logistic regression model showed that higher TAFI levels (OR=1.75, 95%CI: 1.05-2.90, P=0.043), higher PAI-1 levels (OR=1.85, 95%CI: 1.04-3.29, P=0.046), and lower t-PA levels (OR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.52-0.99, P=0.048) were related factors for the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs in SLE patients. Conclusion: The plasma levels of TAFI and PAI-1 in SLE patients with deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities increase, while the t-PA level decreases, which are related factors for the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities in SLE patients.

Circadian rhythm of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes.

Cardiovascular complications are a common death cause in type 2 diabetes patients, as they are often combined. Plasminogen-activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) participates in the development and progression of cardiovascular complications in diabetes. Insulin resistance increases PAI-1 production, and high PAI-1 levels lead to an environment conducive to thrombosis and earlier and more severe vascular disease. Current evidence also suggests that PAI-1 has a rhythmic profile of circadian fluctuations and acrophase in the morning within a single day, which might explain the high morning incidence of cardiovascular events. Thus, PAI-1 is a possible drug target. Although several PAI-1 inhibitors have been developed, none have yet been allowed for clinical use. Research on rhythm has also led to the concept of "chronotherapy", a rhythm-based drug regimen expected to improve the treatment of cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients. Herein, we searched several databases and reviewed relevant articles to describe the circadian rhythm characteristics and endogenous molecular mechanisms of PAI-1, its relationship with insulin resistance, the causes of cardiovascular complications caused by PAI-1, and the current development of PAI-1 inhibitors. We also summarized the possibility of using the circadian rhythm of PAI-1 to treat cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients.

The level of adipokines in young people with hypertension and abdominal obesity

Objective. To investigate the adipokine blood profile in young people with hypertension (HTN) and abdominal obesity (AO). Design and methods. In total. 530 people were included in the study, including 267 people with HTN, of which 169 had AO. In the control group (without HTN) there were 263 people comparable to the study group by gender and age. Among them there were 106 people with AO. The blood levels of adiponectin, adipsin, lipocalin-2, resistin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were determined in all examined patients by multiplex analysis. Statistical data processing was carried out with the use of SPSS 13.0 program. Results. The levels of adiponectin and lipocalin-2 were lower in the group of HTN patients by 1,46 (p &lt; 0,01) and 1,14 times (p &lt; 0,05), respectively. The level of adipsin in HTN patients was significantly higher (p &lt; 0,01) by 19,14 % compared to the control. The levels of resistin and PAI- did not differ in the control group and the group with HTN. Adiponectin level was 1,35 times lower (p &lt; 0,05) in the group with AO compared to those without AO, the other indicators did not differ in the AO group and controls. In the HTN group, higher levels of PAI-1 were found in the subgroup with AO. When comparing the subgroup without HTN and without AO with the subgroup with HTN and AO, a significant decrease in concentration of adiponectin and lipocalin-2 was found. For the subgroups with AO, a decrease in adiponectin levels and an increase in adipsin levels (p &lt; 0,01) were found in HTN patients. No statistically significant difference was found for the remaining indicators. The relative chance of early onset HTN was associated with the decrease in adiponectin and lipocalin-2 levels, and with the increase in adipsin levels, regardless of gender, age and the presence of AO. Conclusions. Thus, an increased level of adipsin and a reduced level of adiponectin and lipocalin-2 can serve as potential biomarkers indicating a high probability of developing early HTN in people under 45 years of age.

Delayed Plasma Clot Lysis in Adult Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

Introduction: Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an orphan disease characterized by very low platelet counts. Patients have heterogeneous bleeding phenotypes, which are not only determined by platelet counts, also a paradoxically increased thrombotic risk has been observed.Aim: To investigate, whether the fibrinolysis inhibitors plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and α2-antiplasmin are associated with impaired plasma clot lysis in primary ITP patients in comparison to non-immunologic thrombocytopenic controls (TPC) and healthy controls (HC). Furthermore, associations with bleeding severity and previous thrombotic events were investigated.Methods: Patients from the Vienna ITP biobank (EC 1843/2016), a multi-centric study including adult patients with primary ITP were investigated and compared to age- and sex-matched control groups: TPC with thrombocytopenia after chemotherapy and HC. Informed consent was obtained from all individuals before study inclusion. A clot formation and lysis assay (CLA) was performed according to the recommendations of the ISTH SSC. Platelet poor plasma samples were measured in duplicates for each patient and control. PAI-1 (PAI-1 Actibind ELISA, Technoclone, Vienna, Austria) and α2-antiplasmin by the chromogenic STA Stachrom antiplasmin assay (Diagnostic Stago, Asnieres, France) were measured. Bleeding severity was measured using the ITP-specific ITP-ISTH BAT (Rodeghiero et al. 2013).Results: In total, 37 primary ITP patients, 18 TPC and 156 healthy controls were analyzed (Table 1). Primary ITP patients had a higher BMI than HC. Bleeding severity was higher and more ITP patients had a thrombosis history compared to HC, whereas there was no difference in comparison to TPC. PAI-1 activity was highest in ITP patients, with a statistically significant difference in comparison to HC. α2-antiplasmin activity was higher in ITP patients than in TPC, whereas there was no difference in comparison to HC.After adjustment for sex, age, BMI and fibrinogen, primary ITP patients had a reduced clot formation rate (V max) and significantly delayed plasma clot lysis compared to TPC and HC (Table 2). Also, the lag phase and time to peak absorbance (TTP) were prolonged with a significant difference in comparison to HC.To investigate outliers of PAI-1 and α2-antiplasmin, we calculated cut-offs at the 75 th percentile of healthy controls (PAI-1: ≥ 3.1 U/mL, α2-antiplasmin: ≥ 107.0 %). 14 (37.8 %) ITP patients had PAI-1 levels and 10 (27.0 %) ITP patients had α2-antiplasmin activity above the cut-off. ITP patients with high PAI-1 levels had mildly delayed clot lysis in comparison to those below with a significantly lower maximal lysis rate (mLR). ITP patients with α2-antiplasmin activity above the cut-off had a significantly shorter lag phase, faster V max and shorter TTP than patients below the cut-off, whereas there was no difference in clot lysis. No differences between ITP patients above or below the respective cut-offs of PAI-1 and α2-antiplasmin regarding their bleeding severity and thrombosis incidence were observed (Table 3).Conclusion: Primary ITP patients have a tendency towards increased PAI-1 activity, which is associated with considerably delayed plasma clot lysis. Albeit an association with the bleeding score could not be identified, this impaired lysis could be seen as a counter-regulation and at least contribute to the relatively mild bleeding tendency in patients with ITP. [Display omitted] DisclosuresPabinger: CSL Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; NovoNordisk: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Daiichi Sanchyo: Consultancy, Honoraria; Alexion: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria.

More Pronounced Hypercoagulable State and Hypofibrinolysis in Patients With Cirrhosis With Versus Without HCC.

In patients with cirrhosis, particularly those with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hypercoagulability may be associated with purported increased risks of portal vein thrombosis and cirrhosis progression. In this study, we extensively investigated hemostatic alterations potentially responsible for the thrombotic tendency in HCC, and evaluated whether such alterations were predictive of hepatic decompensation. Patients with cirrhosis at all stages were prospectively recruited and underwent an extensive hemostatic assessment, including all procoagulant factors and inhibitors, thrombin generation with and without thrombomodulin (TG), profibrinolytic and antifibrinolytic factors, and plasmin‐antiplasmin complex. In study part 1 (case control), we compared alterations of coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients with cirrhosis with versus without HCC. In study part 2 (prospective), the subgroup of patients with decompensated cirrhosis was followed for development of further decompensation, and predictors of outcome were assessed by multivariate analysis. One‐hundred patients were recruited (50 each with and without HCC). Severity of cirrhosis was comparable between groups. Median HCC volume was 9 cm3 (range: 5‐16). Compared with controls, patients with HCC demonstrated a significantly more prothrombotic hemostatic profile due to increased TG and reduced activation of fibrinolysis, independent of cirrhosis stage. During a median follow‐up of 175 days, 20 patients with decompensated cirrhosis developed further episodes of decompensation that were predicted by low FVII and high plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 levels, independent of Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score. Conclusion: Patients with cirrhosis with HCC have profound hyper‐coagulable changes that can account for their increased thrombotic tendency. In contrast, hypercoagulability in patients with decompensated cirrhosis is more likely a consequence of chronic liver disease rather than a driver for cirrhosis progression.

Elevated expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1/SERPINE1) is independent from rs1799889 genotypes in arthrofibrosis

Arthrofibrosis is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition in patients with total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) and causes undesirable joint stiffness. The pathogenesis of arthrofibrosis remains elusive and currently there are no diagnostic biomarkers for the pathological formation of this connective tissue. Fibrotic soft tissues are known to have elevated levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (encoded by SERPINE1), a secreted serine protease inhibitor that moderates extracellular matrix remodeling and tissue homeostasis. The 4G/5G insertion/deletion (rs1799889) is a well-known SERPINE1 polymorphism that directly modulates PAI-1 levels. Homozygous 4G/4G allele carriers typically have higher PAI-1 levels and may predispose patients to soft tissue fibrosis (e.g., liver, lung, and kidney). Here, we examined the genetic contribution of the SERPINE1 rs1799889 polymorphism to musculoskeletal fibrosis in arthrofibrotic (n = 100) and non-arthrofibrotic (n = 100) patients using Sanger Sequencing. Statistical analyses revealed that the allele frequencies of the SERPINE1 rs1799889 polymorphism are similar in arthrofibrotic and non-arthrofibrotic patient cohorts. Because the fibrosis related SERPINE1 rs1799889 polymorphism is independent of arthrofibrosis susceptibility in TKA patients, the possibility arises that fibrosis of joint connective tissues may involve unique genetic determinants distinct from those linked to classical soft tissue fibrosis.

Plasma tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) are at high risk for thrombotic arterial and venous occlusions. However, bleeding complications have also been observed in some patients. Understanding the balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis will help inform optimal approaches to thrombosis prophylaxis and potential utility of fibrinolytic-targeted therapies. 118 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. We measured plasma antigen levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and performed spontaneous clot-lysis assays. We found markedly elevated tPA and PAI-1 levels in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Both factors demonstrated strong correlations with neutrophil counts and markers of neutrophil activation. High levels of tPA and PAI-1 were associated with worse respiratory status. High levels of tPA, in particular, were strongly correlated with mortality and a significant enhancement in spontaneous ex vivo clot-lysis. While both tPA and PAI-1 are elevated among COVID-19 patients, extremely high levels of tPA enhance spontaneous fibrinolysis and are significantly associated with mortality in some patients. These data indicate that fibrinolytic homeostasis in COVID-19 is complex with a subset of patients expressing a balance of factors that may favor fibrinolysis. Further study of tPA as a biomarker is warranted.

Serum biomarkers in patients with stable and exacerbated COPD-bronchiectasis overlap syndrome.

Bronchiectasis (B), commonly seen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is associated with exacerbations and predicts mortality. To differentiate patient groups with COPD-(B+) or COPD-(B-) and their exacerbations by using inflammatory markers. Consecutive COPD patients were divided into two groups according to findings on high resolution thorax CT (HRCT) images using Smith and modified Reiff scores. Patients were prospectively followed for possible future exacerbations. Serum fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were studied during exacerbation and stable periods. Eighty-seven patients were included and (85M, 2 F), mean aged was 68.1±9 (46-87). HRCT confirmed bronchiectasis in 38 (43.7%) patients, most commonly in tubular form (89.4%) and in lower lobes. COPD-B(+) group had lower body mass index (P=0.036), more advanced stage of disease (P=0.004) and more frequent exacerbation (P=0.01). The HRCT scores were correlated with exacerbation rate (r=0.356, P<0.05). Fibrinogen and CRP values were higher in exacerbation (P= 0.01, P= 0.013, respectively) especially in COPD-B(+) patients. suPAR and PAI-1 levels were also higher in COPD-B(+) patients although it was not statistically significant. Bronchiectasis is common and causes frequent exacerbations in COPD. Identifying of COPD-B(+) phenotype by HRCT scoring systems has considerable importance for both therapeutic options and clinical outcome of the disease. In addition to fibrinogen and CRP, high serum levels of suPAR and PAI-1 suggest us their significant roles in increased systemic inflammation associated with coexisting of COPD and bronchiectasis.

Association between plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in young adulthood and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in midlife: CARDIA.

Prior studies have demonstrated a cross-sectional association between elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, there are no prospective longitudinal assessments of the association between PAI-1 and NAFLD. We aimed to describe the association between PAI-1 levels in early adulthood with NAFLD in midlife. Among the 5115 participants in the coronary artery risk development in young adults (CARDIA) study, participants were randomly selected from a subset that was free of obesity, diabetes and hypertension at the 1992-1993 exam and attended the 2005-2006 exam (n=996). A subset of participants (n=896) also had CT liver fat measured (2010-2011). Participants with secondary causes of steatosis were excluded (n=87). NAFLD was defined as liver attenuation ≤51 Hounsfield units. Logistic regression models assessed the association between PAI-1 and NAFLD. Of 809 participants, 53% were female, 37% black with a mean age of 32years. Median PAI-1 level at 1st assessment (1992-1993) was 23.4ng/mL among participants with NAFLD vs 11.9ng/mL among those without NAFLD (P<.0001). Median PAI-1 level at 2nd assessment (2005-2006) was 55.6ng/mL among participants with NAFLD vs 19.5ng/mL among those without NAFLD (P<.0001). Higher PAI-1 levels were independently associated with NAFLD (1st assessment adjusted OR [AOR] 2.16 per 1 standard deviation higher log(PAI-1) level (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63-2.85); 2nd assessment AOR 2.71 (95% CI 2.03-3.61)). Plasma PAI-1 levels in young adulthood were independently associated with NAFLD in midlife. Further studies may indicate whether PAI-1 plays a role in NAFLD pathophysiology.

Specific inhibition of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 reduces blood glucose level by lowering TNF-a

AimsThe study aims to investigate the effect of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), a primary inhibitor of fibrinolytic process, on blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its mechanism. Materials and methodsWe developed a highly potent and highly specific PAI-1 inhibitor, named PAItrap3, based on the inactivated urokinase. Meanwhile, a single point mutation of PAItrap3 (i.e., PAItrapNC) was parallelly prepared as negative control. PAItrap3 was intravenously injected into type 2 diabetic (T2D) mice and its effect on metabolic system was evaluated by measuring the levels of blood glucose, PAI-1, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in T2D mice. Key findingsPAItrap3 significantly reduced the high blood glucose level and PAI-1 level in streptozotocin-induced T2D mice. PAItrapNC did not have any hypoglycemic effect at all on T2D mice. Mechanistically, both PAI-1 and TNF-α levels were attenuated by the administration of PAItrap3. In addition, we observed that PAItrap3 reduced the amount of fat droplets in adipocytes. SignificanceThese findings provide clear evidence for PAI-1 to participate in inflammation and obesity mediated hyperglycemia, and open up a new prospect for the treatment of T2DM by PAI-1 inhibition.

Circulating Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) Is Reduced By In Vivo Thrombin Generation and Subsequent Formation of Activated Protein C (APC)

Background: APC has been suggested to contribute to a hyperfibrinolytic state in various acquired coagulation disorders, including coagulopathies induced by trauma and sepsis. However, in vivo evidence for the proposed underlying mechanism of proteolytic degradation of PAI-1 by APC remains inconclusive. Recently, we have shown increased APC generation in response to in vivo thrombin formation in carriers of the factor V Leiden mutation (FVL). In this approach of stimulated hemostasis activity pattern evaluation (SHAPE), in vivo thrombin formation was triggered by low-dose administration of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). Aim of the present study was to investigate the resulting effects on the fibrinolytic system. Methods: The study population consisted of 30 FVL carriers (thereof 13 with a history of venous thromboembolism) and 15 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected immediately before and during a period of 8 hours following injection of 15 µg/kg rFVIIa. Plasma levels of APC were quantified using an oligonucleotide-based enzyme capture assay (OECA). Other monitored parameters included plasma levels of prothrombin activation fragment 1+2 (F1+2), tissue-type plasminogen (t-PA), PAI-1, plasminogen, α2-antiplasmin, plasmin-α2-antiplasmin complexes (PAP), soluble fibrin monomers, d-dimer, and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI). Results: At baseline, FVL carriers showed higher median levels of APC in comparison to the controls (1.39 vs. 0.86 pmol/L, P=.001), higher PAI-1 levels (30.1 vs. 15.3 ng/mL, P=.002) and lower plasminogen levels (94.8 vs. 110.4%, P=6·10-4). The other baseline parameters did not differ significantly. In both cohorts a comparable increase of F1+2 was observed after administration of rFVIIa, whereas APC increased more (P=.004) in FVL carriers (by 6.40 pmol/L) than in healthy controls (by 2.14 pmol/L), Concurrently, median PAI-1 levels decreased more (P=.007) in FVL carriers (by 19.8 pmol/L) than in healthy controls (by 8.0 pmol/L) (Figure 1). TAFI levels decreased temporarily, from 104.8 to 94.4% (P=.007) in FVL carriers and from 105.0 to 92.1% (P=2·10-4) in healthy controls. PAP levels increased from 164 to 209 ng/mL (P&lt;10-4) in FVL carriers and from 154 to 189 ng/mL (P=.023) in the control group. The extent of these changes did not differ between the two cohorts. D-dimer level increased only in FVL carriers, from 0.34 to 0.41 mg/L (P=.008). t-PA and the other parameters did not show significant changes after rFVIIa administration. Conclusion: Increased APC formation rates in FVL carriers were associated with a greater decline of PAI-1 levels in the absence of interfering changes in t-PA levels. These data provide further in vivo evidence that APC down-regulates PAI-1. Overall, the SHAPE approach utilized here does not induce a significant profibrinolytic response, even in patients with thrombophilia. Disclosures Reda: Grifols: Honoraria; Shire: Honoraria. Winterhagen:SOBI: Honoraria. Berens:Pfizer: Honoraria; Shire: Honoraria; Biotest: Honoraria; CSL Behring: Honoraria; Novo Nordisk: Honoraria; Baxter: Honoraria. Müller:NovoNordisk: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Siemens: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Oldenburg:CSL Behring: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; NovoNordisk: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Swedish Orphan Biovitrum: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Grifols: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Takeda (Shire): Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Chugai: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Biotest: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Octapharma: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Rühl:CSL Behring: Honoraria; Bayer: Honoraria; Shire: Honoraria; SOBI: Honoraria; Sanofi Genzyme: Honoraria; Grifols: Honoraria.

&amp;minus;675 4G/5G and &amp;minus;844 G/A of Plasminogne Activator Inhibitor-1 (Pai-1) Gene Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Tunisia: Case-Control Study

Background: The plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a puissant antifibrinolytic factor; plasma PAI-1 level is high in type 2 diabetes. 4G/5G polymorphism of PAI-1 gene is a major genetic determinant of plasma PAI-1 levels, with 4G carriers having high PAI-1 level than 5G, theses pose the question about relation T2 patients and those polymorphisms. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the polymorphisms −675 4G/5G and −844 G/A of PAI-1 gene and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: A case control study of 491 diabetic and 400 healthy controls. Genotyping of the polymorphism −675 4G/5G was done by PCR-ASA (polymerase chain reaction, allele specific amplification), and the polymorphism −844 G/A was done with PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism), the allelic frequency is calculated with hardy-Weinberg law, the statistic analysis was done by SPSS version 10. Results: Higher frequencies of The genotypes 4G/4G (p = 0.01) and 4G/5G of polymorphism −675 4G/5G were seen in diabetic (p = 0.05) and higher frequencies of 5G/5G was seen in controls (p −844 G/A was seen in diabetics and G/G was seen in controls (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Our study found association between 4G allele of −675 4G/5G and A allele of −844 G/A of PAI-1 gene and having type 2 diabetes mellitus in Tunisian population.

HIV is associated with endothelial activation despite ART, in a sub-Saharan African setting.

ObjectiveTo study the relationship between endothelial dysfunction, HIV infection, and stroke in Malawians.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, we measured plasma levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) in stroke patients and controls, stratified by HIV status. These biomarkers were measured using ELISA. After dichotomization, each biomarker was used as the dependent variable in a multivariable logistic regression model. Primary independent variables included HIV and stroke status. Adjustment variables were age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tobacco and alcohol consumption, personal/family history of stroke, antiretroviral therapy status, and hypercholesterolemia.ResultsSixty-one stroke cases (19 HIV+) and 168 controls (32 HIV+) were enrolled. The median age was 55 years (38.5–65.0) for controls and 52 years (38.0–73.0) for cases (p = 0.38). The median CD4+ T-cell count was 260.1 cells/mm3 (156.3–363.9) and 452 cells/mm3 (378.1–527.4) in HIV-infected cases and controls, respectively. HIV infection was independently associated with high levels of ICAM-1 (OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.3–10.6, p = 0.018) in controls but not in stroke cases even after excluding patients with a viral load >1,000 RNA copies/mL (OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 1.3–13.1, p = 0.017). There was no association between the clinical profiles of HIV-positive controls or HIV-positive stroke and high levels of PAI-1, VEGF, and sTM.ConclusionsHIV infection is associated with endothelial activation despite antiretroviral treatment. Our findings underscore the need for larger clinical cohorts to better understand the contribution of this perturbation of the endothelial function to the increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.