Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a major inhibitor of coagulation. We therefore
hypothesised that high plasmatic TFPI levels are associated with impaired ex vivo clotting in a model of acquired haemophilia. Blood samples were collected in a prospective
clinical study from 30 healthy volunteers. Coagulation in normal or factor VIII (FVIII)-inhibited
human blood or plasma was measured by the calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) and
rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Both methods are global haemostatic assays
that provide insight into the whole coagulation process. Monoclonal mouse antibodies
raised against either the C-terminus or the Kunitz domain 2 of TFPI were used to determine
full-length (fl-) and total TFPI by an enzyme-immunoassay. Clotting times and parameters
of thrombin generation correlated with TFPI levels. Subjects with low fl-TFPI levels
had significantly shorter clotting times and a higher endogenous thrombin potential
(ETP) compared to those with high fl-TFPI levels (p≤0.005 for all). An even stronger
effect was seen in FVIII-inhibited blood/plasma: ROTEM clotting time was 26% shorter
(p=0.01) and the ETP assessed by CAT was >2-fold higher in subjects with low fl-TFPI
levels (p≤0.0001). Plasmatic TFPI is a major determinant of coagulation in global
haemostatic tests particularly when FVIII is missing. Thus, inhibition of TFPI might
be a promising novel treatment approach, especially in haemophilia patients with FVIII
inhibitors.
Keywords
Tissue factor pathway inhibitor - TFPI - coagulation factor FVIII - calibrated automated
thrombin generation assay (CAT) - rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) - haemophilia