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Heparin rescues factor V Leiden-associated placental failure independent of anticoagulation in a murine high-risk pregnancy model. Blood 2013 Mar 14;121(11):2127-34

Date

01/18/2013

Pubmed ID

23325830

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3952382

DOI

10.1182/blood-2012-08-448209

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84877593502 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   16 Citations

Abstract

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is being tested as an experimental drug for improving pregnancy outcome in women with inherited thrombophilia and placenta-mediated pregnancy complications, such as recurrent pregnancy loss. The role of thrombotic processes in these disorders remains unproven, and the issue of antithrombotic prophylaxis is intensely debated. Using a murine model of factor V Leiden-associated placental failure, we show that treatment of the mother with LMWH allows placental development to proceed and affords significant protection from fetal loss. Nonetheless, the therapeutic effect of LMWH is not replicated by anticoagulation; fondaparinux and a direct Xa inhibitor, C921-78, achieve anticoagulation similar to LMWH but produce little or no improvement in pregnancy outcome. Genetic attenuation of maternal platelet aggregation is similarly ineffective. In contrast, even a partial loss of thrombin sensitivity of maternal platelets protects pregnancies. Neonates born from these pregnancies are growth retarded, suggesting that placental function is only partially restored. The placentae are smaller but do not reveal any evidence of thrombosis. Our data demonstrate an anticoagulation-independent role of LMWH in protecting pregnancies and provide evidence against the involvement of thrombotic processes in thrombophilia-associated placental failure. Importantly, thrombin-mediated maternal platelet activation remains central in the mechanism of placental failure.

Author List

An J, Waitara MS, Bordas M, Arumugam V, Hoffmann RG, Petrich BG, Sinha U, North PE, Sood R

Authors

Paula E. North MD, PhD Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Rashmi Sood PhD Associate Professor in the Pathology department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Anticoagulants
Blood Coagulation
Disease Models, Animal
Embryo, Mammalian
Factor V
Female
Heparin
Humans
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Knockout
Placenta Diseases
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic
Pregnancy, High-Risk