PB0351 - Blood transfusion maintains endothelial cell quiescence - implications in the prevention of stroke in paediatric sickle cell anaemia

Sunday, July 10, 2022

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Location: Exhibition

Presentation Format: In-Person

Presenting Author(s)

Helen Fogarty, MB BAO BCh MSc MRCPI

Haematology SpR and Wellcome Trust/HRB ICAT Fellow
Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Co-Author(s)

SW

Soracha Ward

Postdoctoral
RCSI
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
EK

Ellie Karampini

Postdoctoral Researcher
2. Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
SE

Stephanie Elliott

Research Assistant
Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
Dublin, Carlow, Ireland
AR

Aisling M. M. Rehill

Postdoctoral researcher
Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin 2, Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
AA

Azaz Ahmad

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
JV

Johana Tello Velasquez

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
RG

Rosena Geoghegan

Advanced Nurse Specialist
Department of Haematology, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
HC

Helena Conroy

Advanced Nurse Specialist
Department of Haematology, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
MB

Mary Byrne

Coagulation Laboratory Chief
National Coagulation Centre, St James's Hospital, Dublin
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
UB

Ulrich Budde

Professor of Haematology
Medilys Laborgesellschaft mbH, Department of Hämostaseology, Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
ET

Emma Tuohy

Consultant Haematologist
Department of Haematology, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
CM

Corrina McMahon

Consultant Haematologist
Department of Haematology, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
JO

James S. O'Donnell, MB, PhD

Professor of Haematology
Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland,Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is characterized by chronic haemolysis, hypercoagulability and thrombosis, including stroke in 10% of children. The mainstays of treatment are hydroxyurea (HU) and chronic blood transfusion (BT). However, the biological mechanisms through which these therapies down-regulate thrombotic risk remain poorly understood.

Aims: We hypothesized that HU and BT may attenuate SCA-induced endothelial cell (EC) activation, coagulation activation and thereby mitigate thrombotic risk.

Methods: Following ethical approval and informed consent, 180 SCA children were recruited. Plasma samples were collected during steady-state and tested for a range of Weibel Palade body (WPB) markers, including VWF:Ag, VWF multimers, VWF propeptide (VWFpp), FVIII:C, Angiopoeitin-2 (Ang-2) and Osteoprotegerin (OPG). In addition, plasma ADAMTS-13 and thrombin generation were assessed.

Results: Plasma VWF:Ag, VWF:CB and VWFpp were all significantly reduced in the BT-treated children (n=84) compared to the HU-treated cohort (n=96) (Figure 1). In keeping with the concept of lower EC activation, plasma levels of other WPB biomarkers (Ang-2 and OPG) were also significantly decreased in the BT group (Figure 1). While ADAMTS13 activity did not differ between the cohorts, abnormal circulating VWF multimers were observed in the HU-treated but not in the BT children (Figure 1). The VWF/ADAMTS13 ratio was also significantly increased. Finally, markers of coagulation activation, including FVIII:C levels, endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and peak thrombin were also significantly reduced in the BT cohort (Figure 1).

Conclusion(s): Although BT is recognised as the treatment of choice for children with severe SCA, the biological mechanisms underpinning its efficacy remain poorly understood. This is the first large study to directly address the effects of BT on SCA endotheliopathy and coagulopathy. Importantly, our novel data demonstrate that BT plays a critical role in maintaining normal EC quiescence and thus thrombin generation in SCA children.