Cystic fibrosis heterozygotes do not have increased platelet activation.
BACKGROUND
We have previously demonstrated platelet hyperreactivity in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Carriers of one CF mutation (heterozygotes) have been shown to have abnormalities related to the presence of only one-half the normal amount of CF transmembrane conductance regulator protein. Platelet hyperreactivity in CF heterozygotes would be an important cardiovascular risk factor, since approximately 1 in 25 Caucasians is a CF carrier.


METHODS
We used highly sensitive assays of platelet activation to assess the difference between 16 CF heterozygotes and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls without CF mutations.


RESULTS
We found no difference in platelet activation between CF heterozygotes and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The 50% reduction in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator protein in heterozygotes is insufficient to cause platelet activation.
Tarnow
Inge
I
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Copenhagen, The Faculty of Life Sciences, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Michelson
Alan D
AD
Frelinger
Andrew L
AL
Linden
Matthew D
MD
Li
Youfu
Y
Fox
Marsha L
ML
Barnard
Marc R
MR
O'Sullivan
Brian P
BP
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000235:genetics*
D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator