title: A shorter von Willebrand factor survival in O blood group subjects explains how ABO determinants influence plasma von Willebrand factor.
abstract: ABO blood groups greatly influence circulating von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels, and O group subjects have lower VWF values. In this study, we investigated whether ABO groups affect VWF survival by monitoring the post-DDAVP (1-desamino-8-d arginine vasopressin) time courses of VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), VWF collagen binding (VWF:CB), and factor VIII (FVIII) in 47 healthy subjects (28 O and 19 non-O blood groups). The elimination half-life (T1/2el) of VWF was found significantly shorter in O than in non-O subjects (10.0+/-0.8 hours vs 25.5+/-5.3 hours, respectively; P<.01), as was the T1/2el of VWF:CB (7.9+/-0.5 hours vs 20.9+/-4.5 hours; P<.01). A direct linear correlation was found between basal VWF:Ag and T1/2el, subjects with higher VWF levels having longer-surviving VWF. ABO blood groups appeared to strongly influence VWF clearance, but not its synthesis or release from endothelial cells. The VWF propeptide to VWF:Ag ratio, useful for predicting an increased VWF clearance, was found significantly higher in O than in non-O individuals (1.6+/-0.1 vs 1.2+/-0.5, P<.001), with values that correlated inversely with T1/2el (P<.001). Based on these findings, we conclude that the lower VWF values in O group individuals is attributable to a shorter VWF survival and circulating VWF values are strongly influenced by its half-life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padua Medical School, Italy.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallinaro
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cattini
authors.forename: Maryta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sztukowska
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Padrini
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sartorello
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pontara
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bertomoro
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Daidone
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pagnan
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casonato
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000097:blood*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D006490:Hemostatics; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D003094:Collagen; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin