OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular alterations of splenocytes associated with anti-factor Ⅷ (FⅧ) immune response and the underlying mechanisms based on hemophilia A (HA) murine model via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. METHODS: Severe HA mice were immunized with recombinant human factor Ⅷ (rhF8) weekly for 4 weeks to establish an FⅧ inhibitor model. High quality raw data were obtained by using bulk RNA-seq and CASAVA base identification technology, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The DEGs were statistically classified by gene ontology (GO) annotation to obtain information on the major signaling pathways and biological processes involved in anti-FⅧ immune response in HA mouse splenocytes. The cell clusters, genes, and signaling pathway datasets were comprehensively analyzed by GO, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and single cell RNA-seq (ScRNA-seq) analysis, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis was used to verify the changes in T follicular helper cells (Tfh) and regulatory T cells (Treg). RESULTS: A total of 3731 DEGs was identified, including 2275 genes with up-regulated expression and 1456 genes with down-regulated expression. The DEGs were enriched in helper T cell differentiation, cytokine receptor, T cell receptor signaling pathway, ferroptosis, etc. Uniform Manifold Approximation and Project (UMAP) downscaling and visualization analysis yielded a total number of 11 T/NK cell subsets, visualizing the overall expression distribution of C-X-C chemokine-specific receptor gene cxcr5 among these T/NK cell subsets. Higher expression of cxcr5 was found in activated Tfh from FⅧ inhibitor mice, in comparison to the control group. The visualization using Upset plot R language showed a close interaction between Tfh and Treg. Moreover, the increased frequencies of Tfh and the decreased frequencies of Treg in inhibitor mouse splenocytes were further verified by flow cytometry analysis. CONCLUSION Multiple immune cell subsets, signaling pathways, and characteristic genes may be involved in the process of anti-FⅧ immune response in HA mouse splenocytes. The molecules involved in the regulation of Tfh/Treg may play key roles, which provide potential biological targets and therapeutic strategies for HA patients with inhibitors in the future.
Animals ; Hemophilia A/genetics* ; Mice ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Disease Models, Animal ; Spleen/cytology* ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Factor VIII/immunology* ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role and mechanism of circRNA-SR-related CTD associated factor 8 (SCAF8) in regulating endothelial cell pyroptosis in high glucose environment. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and divided into six groups. The normal control group and high glucose control group were cultured in cell culture medium with 5 and 33 mmol/L glucose, respectively. The RNA control group, circRNA-SCAF8 inhibition group, miR-93-5p overexpression group and miR-93-5p inhibition group were added with non-functional siRNA, circRNA-SCAF8 inhibitor, miR-93-5p overexpression molecule and miR-93-5p inhibitor in high glucose environment, respectively. Cell viability and pyroptosis were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide fluorescence double staining. Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the expression of pyroptosis-related factors including apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-1 (caspase-1) and Gasdermin D (GSDMD), NOD like receptor protein 3 (NLRP-3), thioredoxin interacting proteins (TXNIP), IL-18 and IL-1β. The expression of circRNA-SCAF8, miR-93-5p and TXNIP was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to locate circRNA-SCAF8 and miR-93-5p. Dual luciferase assay was used to verify the targeted regulatory relationship between miR-93-5p and upstream and downstream molecules. RESULTS: Compared with the RNA control group, the cell survival rate of circRNA-SCAF8 inhibition group and miR-93-5p overexpression group increased (both P<0.01), the pyroptosis decreased (both P<0.01), and the expressions of pyroptosis-related factors such as TXNIP, NLRP-3, caspase-1, GSDMD, ASC, IL-18 and IL-1β were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). The expression of miR-93-5p was significantly increased after inhibition of circRNA-SCAF8 (P<0.01), and the expression of circRNA-SCAF8 tended to decrease after overexpression of miR-93-5p, but with no statistical significance (P>0.05). Dual luciferase assay showed that miR-93-5p downre-gulated circRNA-SCAF8 expression by binding to the 3 ´ UTR region of circRNA-SCAF8, and miR-93-5p downregulated TXNIP expression by binding to the 3 ´ UTR region of TXNIP. FISH showed that circRNA-SCAF8 and miR-93-5p were both located in the cytoplasm and were highly associated in the cells. qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression of TXNIP increased or decreased after overexpression or inhibition of miR-93-5p compared with the RNA control group, respectively (both P<0.05), suggesting that miR-93-5p could regulate TXNIP gene expression. CONCLUSIONS CircRNA-SCAF8/miR-93-5p/TXNIP axis is involved in the regulation of pyroptosis in HUVECs under high glucose.
Humans ; Factor VIII ; RNA, Circular ; Endothelial Cells ; Interleukin-18 ; Pyroptosis ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Caspase 1 ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Carrier Proteins/genetics* ; RNA-Binding Proteins

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the type of FⅧgene mutation and the development of FⅧ inhibitors in patients with severe haemophilia A (HA). METHODS: The medical records of 172 patients with severe hemophilia A from January 2009 to September 2020 were reviewed. The types of FⅧgene mutations and the production of factor Ⅷ inhibitors were collected and divided into high-risk mutation group ( intron 1 inversions, large deletions, nonsense mutations), low-risk mutation group (missense mutations, small deletions and insertions, splice site mutations) and intron 22 inversions group. The correlation of FⅧgenotype and the production of FⅧ inhibitors in patients with HA were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 172 patients with severe HA, 21 cases(12.21%) developed FⅧ inhibitors. The cumulative incidence of FⅧ inhibitor development was 32%(10/31) in high risk group (75% patients with large deletions, 43% patients with intron 1 inversions, 20% patients with nonsense mutations) and 5%(2/43) in low risk group(6% patients with missense mutations, 5% patients with small deletions or insertions and 0% patient with a splice site mutation) and 9%(9/98) in intron 22 inversions group. Compared with the risk of FⅧ inhibitor development in intron 22 inversions group, the risk of FⅧ inhibitor development in high risk group was higher (OR＝4.7, 95% CI： 1.7-13.0), the risk of FⅧ inhibitor development in low risk group was equal (OR＝0.5, 95% CI： 0.1-2.3). Compared with the risk of inhibitor development in low risk group, the risk of FⅧ inhibitor development in high risk group was higher (OR＝9.8, 95% CI： 2.0-48.7). CONCLUSION Gene mutations of patients with severe HA in high-risk group which include intron 1 inversions, large deletions, nonsense mutations are a risk factor for FⅧ inhibitor production.
Codon, Nonsense ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Factor VIII/genetics* ; Hemophilia A/genetics* ; Humans ; Introns ; Mutation

Conventional therapies for hemophilia A (HA) are prophylactic or on-demand intravenous FVIII infusions. However, they are expensive and inconvenient to perform. Thus, better strategies for HA treatment must be developed. In this study, a recombinant FVIII cDNA encoding a human/rat hybrid FVIII with an enhanced procoagulant potential for adeno-associated virus (AAV)-delivered gene therapy was developed. Plasmids containing human FVIII heavy chain (hHC), human light chain (hLC), and rat light chain (rLC) were transfected into cells and hydrodynamically injected into HA mice. Purified AAV viruses were intravenously injected into HA mice at two doses. Results showed that the hHC + rLC protein had a higher activity than the hHC + hLC protein at comparable expression levels. The specific activity of hHC + rLC was about 4- to 8-fold higher than that of their counterparts. Hydrodynamic injection experiments obtained consistent results. Notably, the HA mice undergoing the AAV-delivered hHC + rLC treatment exhibited a visibly higher activity than those treated with hHC + hLC, and the therapeutic effects lasted for up to 40 weeks. In conclusion, the application of the hybrid FVIII (hHC + rLC) via an AAV-delivered gene therapy substantially improved the hemorrhagic diathesis of the HA mice. These data might be of help to the development of optimized FVIII expression cassette for HA gene therapy.
Animals ; Dependovirus/genetics* ; Factor VIII/metabolism* ; Genetic Therapy/methods* ; Hemophilia A/therapy* ; Humans ; Mice ; Rats

OBJECTIVE: To report on a case with severe hemophilia A (HA) due to a large duplication of F8 gene. METHODS: Inversion detection, Sanger sequencing, and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were used to detect the mutation in the proband and his mother. RESULTS: The patient, a 7-year-old boy, was diagnosed with severe HA at 8 months. No inhibitor was developed over 150 exposure days. Intronic inversion detection and Sanger sequencing have failed to identify pathogenic variants, while MLPA revealed a large duplication [Ex 1_22 dup (2 copies)] in the proband, for which his mother was a carrier [Ex 1_22 dup (3 copies)]. Large duplications of the F8 gene have so far been found in 24 HA patients, all of whom had a severe phenotype, only one had a history of inhibitors. CONCLUSION Large duplications of F8 gene are associated with severe HA. The diagnostic rate for HA may be increased by MLPA.
Child ; Factor VIII/genetics* ; Gene Duplication ; Hemophilia A/genetics* ; Humans ; Introns ; Male ; Mutation ; Phenotype

Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL)-4 is a member of the large CRL family in eukaryotes. It plays important roles in a wide range of cellular processes, organismal development, and physiological and pathological conditions. DDB1- and CUL4-associated factor 8 (DCAF8) is a WD40 repeat-containing protein, which serves as a substrate receptor for CRL4. The physiological role of DCAF8 is unknown. In this study, we constructed Dcaf8 knockout mice. Homozygous mice were viable with no noticeable abnormalities. However, the fertility of Dcaf8-deficient male mice was markedly impaired, consistent with the high expression of DCAF8 in adult mouse testis. Sperm movement characteristics, including progressive motility, path velocity, progressive velocity, and track speed, were significantly lower in Dcaf8 knockout mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. However, the total motility was similar between WT and Dcaf8 knockout sperm. More than 40% of spermatids in Dcaf8 knockout mice showed pronounced morphological abnormalities with typical bent head malformation. The acrosome and nucleus of Dcaf8 knockout sperm looked similar to those of WT sperm. In vitro tests showed that the fertilization rate of Dcaf8 knockout mice was significantly reduced. The results demonstrated that DCAF8 plays a critical role in spermatogenesis, and DCAF8 is a key component of CRL4 function in the reproductive system.
Animals ; Cullin Proteins/genetics* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Factor VIII ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Factor VIII/genetics* ; Gene Duplication ; Humans ; Male ; Thrombosis/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo conduct genetic diagnosis for a family affected with hamophilia A.

METHODSPotential mutations of the F8 gene were analyzed with PCR and Sanger sequencing. Carriers of the mutation were identified through linkage analysis using short tandem repeat (STR) markers. Suspected mutations were verified among 100 healthy controls to rule out genetic polymorphism. Prenatal diagnosis was provided based on the above results.

RESULTSSequencing analysis has identified two mutations, c.1 A>T and c.4 C>T, which have replaced the start codon (ATG) with leucine (TTG) and glutamine (GAA) with the stop codon (TAA), respectively. The same mutations were not found among the 100 healthy controls. The patient's mother and sister were heterozygous for the same mutations. Upon prenatal diagnosis, the fetus was determined as a male and did not harbor the above mutations. Linkage analysis also confirmed that the fetus has inherited the non-risk X chromosome from his maternal grandfather.

CONCLUSIONDetection of pathogenic mutations can enable prenatal diagnosis for the disease.

Adult ; Factor VIII ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Linkage ; genetics ; Hemophilia A ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; genetics ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEInversions of intron 1 (Inv1) or intron 22 (Inv22) of the coagulation factor VIII gene (F8) may be found in 40%-50% of patients with severe hemophilia A. Such inversions cannot be detected by conventional sequencing. Due to homologous recombination, family-based linkage analysis may yield false positive or false negative results. In this study, Inverse-shifting PCR (IS-PCR) was used to detect potential inversions in two families affected with hemophilia A.

METHODSPeripheral venous blood, fetal amniotic fluid and fetal chorionic cells were harvested for genome DNA extraction. IS-PCR was used to detect Inv1 or Inv22 detection or its subtypes.

RESULTSIS-PCR has accurately detected Inv22 and Inv1 in both families and verified the subtypes of Inv22.

CONCLUSIONCarriers of Inv22 or Inv1 may be precisely detected with IS-PCR. The results have provided valuable information for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the affected families.

Child ; Chromosome Inversion ; Factor VIII ; genetics ; Genetic Counseling ; Hemophilia A ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Introns ; Male ; Prenatal Diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo detect potential mutation of F8 gene in a family affected with hemophilia type A.

METHODSInverse-shifting PCR (IS-PCR), next-generation sequencing (NGS), multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and short tandem repeat (STR) assays were used.

RESULTSIS-PCR showed that no inversion of F8 gene has occurred in the family. NGS detected no point mutation or small InDel in the proband, but suggested that the exon 2 of the F8 gene may be deleted. MLPA also showed that exon 2 of the F8 gene was absent in the proband, while the carriers were heterozygous for the deletion, though STR analysis yielded a paradoxical result.

CONCLUSIONNGS analysis has identified a large deletion of exon 2 of the F8 gene in a family affected with hemophilia A. Discretion is required when STR analysis was used for carrier screening and antenatal diagnosis. Combination of multiple methods can improve the accuracy for the detection of F8 gene mutations.

Child ; Exons ; genetics ; Factor VIII ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; methods ; Hemophilia A ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree ; Sequence Deletion ; genetics