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Thromb Haemost 2007; 97(04): 534-541
DOI: 10.1160/TH06-09-0549
Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis
Schattauer GmbH

ABO blood group genotypes, plasma von Willebrand factor levels and loading of von Willebrand factor with A and B antigens

Vania M. Morelli
1   Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Center, Department of Hematology
,
Marieke C. H. de Visser
1   Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Center, Department of Hematology
,
Nico H. van Tilburg
1   Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Center, Department of Hematology
,
Hans L. Vos
1   Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Center, Department of Hematology
,
Jeroen C. J. Eikenboom
1   Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Center, Department of Hematology
,
Frits R. Rosendaal
1   Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Center, Department of Hematology
2   Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
Rogier M. Bertina
1   Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Center, Department of Hematology
› Author AffiliationsFinancial support: The study was supported by a grant of the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (no 02/04262–5) to V.M., and by grants from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) (912–02–036) and the Dutch Heart Foundation (NHS 89.063, NHS 2002T030).
Further Information

Publication History

Received 29 September 2006

Accepted after revision 15 February 2007

Publication Date:
24 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

ABO blood group is a genetic determinant of von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels. We investigated the effect of ABO genotypes on VWF and factor VIII (FVIII) levels and on the degree to which VWF is loaded with A- and B-antigens, expressed as normalized ratios, nA-ratio and nB-ratio, respectively, in the Leiden Thrombophilia Study, a large case-control study on venous thrombosis. We found that the ABO locus had an allele-specific, dosage dependent effect on VWF and FVIII levels and on the loading of VWF with A-antigen and B-antigen. The highest mean nA- and nB-ratios were found in A 1 A 1 and BB genotypes, respectively. Four A1 O carriers had four 43-bp repeats in the minisatellite region of theABO gene in stead of the expected one repeat. All had a reduced nA-ratio compared to A 1 O carriers with one repeat in their A1 allele. The amount of A – and B- antigens expressed onVWF (nA-ratio and nB-ratio) explained about 18% (R2) of the variation in VWF levels.

Keywords

ABO genotypes - von Willebrand factor - A and B antiens
 

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