Quebec platelet disorder: update on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment

J Blavignac, N Bunimov, GE Rivard… - … in thrombosis and …, 2011 - thieme-connect.com
J Blavignac, N Bunimov, GE Rivard, CPM Hayward
Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis, 2011thieme-connect.com
Quebec platelet disorder (QPD) is an autosomal dominant bleeding disorder associated with
reduced platelet counts and a unique gain-of-function defect in fibrinolysis due to increased
expression and storage of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) by megakaryocytes. QPD
increases risks for bleeding and its key clinical feature is delayed-onset bleeding, following
surgery, dental procedures or trauma, which responds only to treatment with fibrinolytic
inhibitors. The genetic cause of the disorder is a tandem duplication mutation of the uPA …
Abstract
Quebec platelet disorder (QPD) is an autosomal dominant bleeding disorder associated with reduced platelet counts and a unique gain-of-function defect in fibrinolysis due to increased expression and storage of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) by megakaryocytes. QPD increases risks for bleeding and its key clinical feature is delayed-onset bleeding, following surgery, dental procedures or trauma, which responds only to treatment with fibrinolytic inhibitors. The genetic cause of the disorder is a tandem duplication mutation of the uPA gene, PLAU, which upregulates uPA expression in megakaryocytes by an unknown mechanism. The increased platelet stores of uPA trigger plasmin-mediated degradation of QPD α-granule proteins. The gain-of-function defect in fibrinolysis is thought to be central to the pathogenesis of QPD bleeding as the activation of QPD platelets leads to release of uPA from α-granules and accelerated clot lysis. The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge on QPD pathogenesis and the recommended approaches to QPD diagnosis and treatment.
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