As the most abundant component of coagulation system, fibrinogen not only takes part in clotting, but also works as one of acute phase proteins, which participates in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. Studies of fibrinogen abnormalities contribute to understand the molecular basis of disorders of fibrinogen protein function and metabolism, caused mainly by gene mutation, commonly associated with bleeding, thrombophilia, or both. Diseases affecting fibrinogen could be classified to the acquired or inherited disease. In this review, the research progress on the molecular basis, possible action mechanism of the hereditary fibrinogen abnormalities and its clinical research are summarized.
Afibrinogenemia ; genetics ; Blood Coagulation Disorders ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To detect and analyze coagulation related indexes and genotypes of a patient with congenital fibrinogen deficiency and his family members, and to investigate the possible molecular pathogenesis. METHODS: Four peripheral blood samples (proband and 3 family members) were collected and the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (Fg), D-Dimer and eight coagulation factor indicators were detected. All exons and flanking sequences of the FGA, FGB, and FGG genes encoding the three peptide chains of fibrinogen were sequenced and analyzed by bioinformatics. RESULTS: Among the eight coagulation factors of the proband and the elder sister, F Ⅴ and F Ⅷ were slightly higher, TT was significantly prolonged, and Fg was significantly reduced. Sequencing results showed that c.901C>T heterozygous mutation existed in the FGG gene. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the mutation changed the original protein structure and reduced the number of hydrogen bonds. CONCLUSION The fibrinogen gamma chain c.901C>T heterozygous mutation is the main cause of congenital fibrinogen deficiency in this family. This mutation is reported for the first time at home and abroad.
Afibrinogenemia/genetics* ; Aged ; Fibrinogen/genetics* ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree

Objective: To analyze the phenotype and genotype of two pedigrees with inherited fibrinogen (Fg) deficiency caused by two heterozygous mutations. We also preliminarily probed the molecular pathogenesis. Methods: The prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and plasma fibrinogen activity (Fg∶C) of all family members (nine people across three generations and three people across two generations) were measured by the clotting method. Fibrinogen antigen (Fg:Ag) was measured by immunoturbidimetry. Direct DNA sequencing was performed to analyze all exons, flanking sequences, and mutated sites of FGA, FGB, and FGG for all members. Thrombin-catalyzed fibrinogen polymerization was performed. ClustalX 2.1 software was used to analyze the conservatism of the mutated sites. MutationTaster, PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, SIFT, and LRT online bioinformatics software were applied to predict pathogenicity. Swiss PDB Viewer 4.0.1 was used to analyze the changes in protein spatial structure and molecular forces before and after mutation. Results: The Fg∶C of two probands decreased (1.28 g/L and 0.98 g/L, respectively). The Fg∶Ag of proband 1 was in the normal range of 2.20 g/L, while it was decreased to 1.01 g/L in proband 2. Through genetic analysis, we identified a heterozygous missense mutation (c.293C>A; p.BβAla98Asp) in exon 2 of proband 1 and a heterozygous nonsense mutation (c.1418C>G; p.BβSer473*) in exon 8 of proband 2. The conservatism analysis revealed that Ala98 and Ser473 presented different conservative states among homologous species. Online bioinformatics software predicted that p.BβAla98Asp and p.BβSer473* were pathogenic. Protein models demonstrated that the p.BβAla98Asp mutation influenced hydrogen bonds between amino acids, and the p.BβSer473* mutation resulted in protein truncation. Conclusion: The dysfibrinogenemia of proband 1 and the hypofibrinogenemia of proband 2 appeared to be related to the p.BβAla98Asp heterozygous missense mutation and the p.BβSer473* heterozygous nonsense mutation, respectively. This is the first ever report of these mutations.
Humans ; Afibrinogenemia/genetics* ; Codon, Nonsense ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Fibrinogen/genetics* ; Genotype

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical phenotype and gene mutation analysis of a hereditary abnormal fibrinogenemia family and explore its molecular pathogenesis. METHODS: The STA-R automatic hemagglutination analyzer to detect the proband and its family members (3 generations of 5 people) of prothrombin time(PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen activity (Fg: C), D-dimer (D-D), fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products (FDPs), plasminogen activity (PLG: A); The plasma levels of Fg: C and fibrinogen (Fg: Ag) were measured by Clauss method and immunoturbidimetry respectively. All exons and flanking sequences of FGA, FGB and FGG genes of fibrinogen were amplified by PCR, and the PCR products were purified and sequenced for gene analysis. The model was analyzed by Swiss software. RESULTS: The PT and APTT of the proband, her mother and sister were slightly prolonged, TT was significantly extend, Fg: C decreased significantly, Fg: Ag, PLG: A, D-D and FDPs are within the normal range; Her brother and daughter of the results are normal. Genetic analysis showed that g.7476 G>A heterozygous missense mutation in exon 8 of FGG gene resulted in mutations in arginine at position 275 of fibrinogen gamma D domain to histidine (Arg275His). Her mother and sister have the same Arg275His heterozygous mutation, brother and daughter for the normal wild type. CONCLUSION The heterozygous missense mutation of FGG gene Arg275His in patients with hereditary dysfibrinogenemia is associated with a decrease in plasma fibrinogen activity.
Afibrinogenemia ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Fibrinogens, Abnormal ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo analyze clinical manifestation and genetic mutations in 8 Chinese pedigrees featuring hereditary dysfibrinogenemia.

METHODSProthrombin time(PT), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), thrombin time(TT), calibration of plasma protamine sulfate against TT, fibrinogen (Fg) activity, coagulation factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII of all probands and their family members were detected with an automatic blood coagulation analyzer; D-dimer(D-D) and fibrin(ogen) degradation products(FDPs) were also dtected by automatic blood coagulation analyzer, Fg antigen were detected with an immunoturbidimetry method. Exons of fibrinogen genes FGA, FGB and FGG and flanking sequences were amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and sequenced.

RESULTSAll of the probands showed normal levels of FDPs, D-dimer(D-D) and activity of coagulation factor II,V,VII, VIII, IX,X,XI, XII. Plasma PT and APTT were normal or slightly prolonged. Prolonged TT was found in all of the probands, whilst TT was not significantly shortened by protamine sulfate. Fg antigen was within the normal range, but Fg activity was significantly decreased. The Fg antigen/activity ratio was greater than 2. One proband has carried a heterozygous variant of the FGA gene g.1233G>A(p.A α Arg35His). Four have carried a heterozygous mutation of the FGB gene g.9692A>G(p.Bβ Asn190Ser). The remaining 3 had heterozygous substitution of FGG gene g.10819G>A(p.γ Arg301His). In addition, 2 polymorphisms (p.A α Thr331Ala) and p.B β Arg478Lys) were identified in FGA and FGB genes.

CONCLUSIONp.A α Arg35His, p.B β Asn190Ser and p. γ Arg301His are responsible for the inherited dysfibrinogenemia in the 8 Chinese pedigrees. p.B β Asn190Ser is firstly reported in China. p.B β Asn190Ser and p. γ Arg301His may be mutation hot spot in the Chinese population.

Afibrinogenemia ; blood ; genetics ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; analysis ; Fibrinogen ; analysis ; genetics ; Humans ; Pedigree

Inherited afibrinogenemia is a rare autosomal recessive bleeding disease characterized by complete absence of fibrinogen in blood. To identify the genotype in a Chinese family with inherited afibrinogenemia, the samples of peripheral blood were collected from 6 members of 3 generations. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (Fg, clauss) were tested. Fg was also analyzed by using immunoturbidimetry method. DNAs of six members were extracted by using a DNA extract kit. All the exons and exon-intron boundaries of the three fibrinogen genes were amplified by using PCR and analyzed by direct sequencing. The results showed that the parents of proband were 3 degree consanguinity. A homozygous c.934_935insA in FGA was found in proband which results in the change of protein p.Ser312fsX42. The parents, grandmother, maternal grandmother and father's sister were all detected with heterozygous mutation which was same as that in proband. In conclusion homozygous c.934_935insA in FGA is a cause of inherited afibrinogenemia and a novel mutation being reported.
Afibrinogenemia ; etiology ; genetics ; Child ; Exons ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Frameshift Mutation ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with congenital hypofibrinogenamia.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from 9 members from the pedigree. Routine coagulation tests including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), the prothrombin time (PT) were carried out. The activity of fibrinogen (Fg: C) was measured using Clauss method, and fibrinogen antigen (Fg: Ag) was measured with immunoturbidimetry. All exons and exon-intron boundaries of the fibrinogen Aα, Bβ and γ chain genes were amplified using PCR, which was followed by direct sequencing. Suspected mutation was confirmed by reverse sequencing. The mutant fibrinogen was analyzed with Swiss-PdbViewer.

RESULTSThe proband showed prolonged APTT, PT and TT. Her functional fibrinogen (Fg: C) and antigen fibrinogen (Fg: Ag) levels were reduced to 0.69 g/L and 0.72 g/L, respectively. Her mother and grandmother also had a low levels of fibrinogen, which were 0.99 g/L and 0.83 g/L for Fg: C, 1.02 g/L and 0.87 g/L for Fg: Ag, respectively. The results of other members from the pedigree were all within the normal range. Genetic analysis reveled a heterozygous G>T mutation at nucleotide 7590 in exon 8 of γ gene in the proband, which was predicted to be a novel Ser313Ile mutation. The mutation was also found in her mother and grandmother. Model analysis showed that the Ser313Ile mutation disturbed the hydrogen bonds between Ser313, Asn319 and Asp320. Moreover, the mutation also altered the mutual electrostatic force and affected the folding and instability of the mutant fibrinogen.

CONCLUSIONThe heterozygous Ser313Ile mutation probably underlies the hypofibrinogenemia in this pedigree.

Adult ; Afibrinogenemia ; genetics ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; chemistry ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic defect and its mechanism in a patient with congenital afibrinogenemia.

METHODSThe plasma fibrinogen activity and antigen of the patient was determined using the Clauss method and immuno-nephelometric assay, respectively. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of the proband and his related family members. All exons and exon-intron boundaries of the three fibrinogen genes (FGA, FGB, FGG) were amplified by PCR followed by direct sequencing. Thrombin fibrin aggregation curve were detected in the plasma of the patient. Wild-type and mutation type fibrinogen vectors were constructed, and then transfected into COS-7 cells. The wild-type and mutant proteins from the culture media and cell lysates were tested by Western blot and ELISA.

RESULTSAPTT, PT, TT were significantly longer in the proband. Plasma fibrinogen activity and antigen of the patient could not be detected using the Clauss method and immuno-nephelometry, respectively. Gene analysis revealed that a novel homozygous GTTT insertion between nucleotides 2833 and 2834 in FGB exon 2 in the proband. The proband's father, mother, brother and son were heterozygous. The polymerization curves of the patient did not show a lag phase or final turbidity, compared with the normal controls. Western blot analysis showed the lack of complete half-molecules of the fibrinogen molecule and fibrinogen in patient's plasma under non-reducing conditions. It also could not detect the truncated Bβ chain under reducing conditions. Abnormal fibrinogen molecule (molecule weight>340 000) were found in transfected COS-7 cells by Western blot, which indicated that the mutation caused the abnormal intracellular fibrinogen molecule assembly. The fibrinogen band was absent in culture media transfected by the mutation. Fibrinogen levels of mutant fibrinogen were no significant different from those of wild-type fibrinogen in cell lysates by ELISA analysis [(2.47 ± 0.30) μg/ml vs (2.65±0.60) μg/ml, P=0.0889]; However, the levels of the mutant fibrinogen were statistically significant lower than those of wild type fibrinogen in culture media [(0.01 ± 0.01) μg/ml vs (3.80±0.80) μg/ml, P=0.0001].

CONCLUSIONCongenital afibrinogenemia was caused by this frameshift mutation in exon 2 of FGB. This novel mutation impaired fibrinogen assembly and secretion.

Afibrinogenemia ; congenital ; etiology ; genetics ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Frameshift Mutation ; Humans ; Male ; Mutagenesis, Insertional ; Pedigree ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the phenotype and genotype of a pedigree affected with congenital dysfibrinogenemia. METHODS: Liver and kidney functions of the proband and her relatives were determined. Coagulation tests including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time(TT), fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDPs), D-dimer(D-D) and the calibration experiment of protamine sulfate of against plasma TT were detected in the proband and her predigree members. The activity and antigen of fibrinogen (Fg) in plasma were measured by Clauss method and immunonephelometry method, respectively. All of the exons and exons-intron boundaries of the three fibrinogen genes (FGA, FGB and FGG) were subjected to PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing. Potential influence of the suspected mutations were analyzed with bioinformatics software including PolyPhen-2, SIFT and Mutation Taster. RESULTS: The proband had normal PT, APTT, FDPs, D-D and prolonged TT (31.8 s). The activity of fibrinogen (Fg) in plasma was significantly decreased but the antigen was normal. Genetic analysis revealed a heterozygous c.92G>A (p.Gly31Glu) mutation in exon 2 of the FGA gene. Family studies revealed that the mother carried the same mutation. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that the mutation may affect the function of Fg Protein. CONCLUSION The dysfibrinogenemia was probably caused by the novel Gly31Glu mutation of the FGA gene.
Afibrinogenemia ; congenital ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a family with congenital dysfibrinogenemia, and analyze the risk of hemorrhage and thrombosis and blood transfusion strategies. METHODS: Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and thrombin time (TT) of the proband and her family members were detected by automatic coagulometer, fibrinogen (Fg) activity and antigen were detected by Clauss method and PT algorithm respectively. Meanwhile, thromboelastometry was analyzed for proband and her family members. Then, peripheral blood samples of the proband and her family members were collected, and all exons of FGA, FGB and FGG and their flanks were amplified by PCR and sequenced to search for gene mutations. RESULTS: The proband had normal APTT and PT, slightly prolonged TT, reduced level of Fg activity (Clauss method). The Fg of the proband's aunt, son and daughter all decreased to varying degrees. The results of thromboelastogram indicated that Fg function of the proband and her family members (except her son) was basically normal. Gene analysis showed that there were 6233 G/A (p.AαArg35His) heterozygous mutations in exon 2 of FGA gene in the proband, her children and aunt. In addition, 2 polymorphic loci were found in the family, they were FGA gene g.9308A/G (p.AαThr331Ala) and FGB gene g.12628G/A (p.BβArg478Iys) polymorphism, respectively. The proband was injected with 10 units of cryoprecipitate 2 hours before delivery to prevent bleeding, and no obvious bleeding occurred during and after delivery. CONCLUSION Heterozygous mutation of 6233G/A (p.AαArg35His) of FGA gene is the biogenetic basis of the disease in this family with congenital dysfibrinogenemia.
Humans ; Child ; Female ; Fibrinogen/genetics* ; Pedigree ; Afibrinogenemia/genetics* ; Mutation ; Blood Transfusion