Open ADAMTS13, induced by antibodies, is a biomarker for subclinical immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Blood. 2020 Jul 16;136(3):353-361. doi: 10.1182/blood.2019004221.

Abstract

Recently, we showed that ADAMTS13 circulates in an open conformation during the acute phase of immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP). Although the cause of this conformational change remains elusive, ADAMTS13 is primarily closed in iTTP patients in remission with ADAMTS13 activity >50% and undetectable anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies, as well as after rituximab treatment, suggesting a role for anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies. Therefore, immunoglobulin G from 18 acute iTTP patients was purified and added to closed ADAMTS13 in healthy donor plasma. This resulted in open ADAMTS13 in 14 of 18 (78%) samples, proving that anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies can induce an open ADAMTS13 conformation. To further elucidate the conformation of ADAMTS13 in iTTP patients, we studied a novel iTTP patient cohort (n = 197) that also included plasma samples from iTTP patients in remission in whom ADAMTS13 activity was <50%. The open ADAMTS13 conformation was found during acute iTTP, as well as in patients in remission with ADAMTS13 activity <50% and in half of the patients with ADAMTS13 activity >50%, although free anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies were not always detected. Thus, open ADAMTS13 is a hallmark of acute iTTP, as well as a novel biomarker that can be used to detect subclinical iTTP in patients in remission. Finally, a long-term follow-up study in 1 iTTP patient showed that the open conformation precedes a substantial drop in ADAMTS13 activity. In conclusion, we have shown that anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies from iTTP patients induce an open ADAMTS13 conformation. Most importantly, an open ADAMTS13 conformation is a biomarker for subclinical iTTP and could become an important tool in TTP management.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADAMTS13 Protein / blood*
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein Conformation
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / blood*
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / drug therapy
  • Rituximab / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Biomarkers
  • Rituximab
  • ADAMTS13 Protein
  • ADAMTS13 protein, human