In the current issue, Chen et al2 provide evidence that the chem

In the current issue, Chen et al.2 provide evidence that the chemical entity itself, particularly with respect to dose U0126 clinical trial and its physiochemical nature (lipophilicity), is a key factor. They assessed the predictive value of dose (≥100 mg per day) and calculated octanol-water partition coefficient (logP > 3) in two independent databases of Food and Drug Administration

(FDA)-approved drugs labeled for the presence or absence of liver injury. The present study confirms previous studies that suggested both factors separately could predict hepatotoxicity3-7 and suggests that a “rule-of-two” which combines both dose and lipophilicity performs better than dose alone, increasing the positive predictive value of dose alone from 85% to 96% (“rule-of-two”) while decreasing the negative predictive value from 55% to 39%.

Whereas only 8 of 114 drugs in the two databases with no DILI concern exhibited positive “rule-of-two,” only half of the hepatotoxic drugs were positive. Thus, learn more false-positives were low but false-negatives were substantial. Clearly, the “rule-of-two” is far from perfect and cannot replace preclinical testing but could be useful as an additional guide in compound selection during drug development. One interesting clinical application of the “rule-of-two” was illustrated by performance in six cases of DILI from LiverTox who received multiple medications; in five cases the implicated drug was the only

one exhibiting a positive “rule-of-two.” This suggests that application of “rule-of-two” or a facsimile may improve causality assessment in the setting of multiple medications. Why should MCE dose and lipophilicity be of predictive value? Likely this is because of the need for the liver to be exposed to a threshold level of the parent drug and/or reactive metabolite. Lipophilic drugs are cleared by the liver and generally require biotransformation to be eliminated. As noted by the authors, a significant relationship was observed between the extent of hepatic metabolism and logP (calculated-water partition coefficient). Therefore, logP may simply be a surrogate for extensive biotransformation and hepatic exposure to a reactive metabolite. Indeed, others have shown the increased predictive value of combining dose with information on hepatic metabolism.

Moreover, injections of these cell lines into the livers of nude

Moreover, injections of these cell lines into the livers of nude mice led to a significant increase in the number of intrahepatic metastatic nodules when compared to nontransduced control cells. According to sequences in the miRBase microRNA database, miR-151 includes two mature sequences: miR-151-3p and miR-151-5p. A differential analysis on the function of these two forms revealed that synthesized miRNA mimics of miR-151-5p, but not miR-151-3p are able to mediate the promigratory and proinvasive phenotype of HCC cells. To identify

the target genes that mediate the biological effects of miR-151, signaling pathway the authors followed different approaches, including examination of gene expression profiles and in silico ICG-001 clinical trial analysis of databases. At the intersection of these different approaches, the authors could identify the gene ARHGDIA (RhoGDIA; Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha) which contains a 3′-UTR element partly complementary to miR-151-5p. In vitro analyses confirmed that miR-151 can down-regulate RhoGDIA expression by directly targeting its 3′UTR. The authors

showed that levels of RhoGDIA were decreased in many HCCs examined and that RhoGDIA protein levels inversely correlated with miR-151 expression. The functional role of RhoGDIA in HCC was confirmed by generation of small interfering RNA constructs against this gene. RhoGDIA silencing resulted in activation of its known target Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) Rac1, Cdc42, and Rho10 and promoted motility and invasiveness of HCC cell lines, whereas ectopic overexpression MCE of RhoGDIA had the opposite effect, thus supporting that RhoGDIA is a functional target for miR-151. Finally, the authors could confirm previous findings that FAK,

the host gene of miR-151, is an important metastasis regulator that can activate Rho GTPases like Rac1, Cdc42, and Rho through binding to guanine nucleotide exchange factors and thus promotes HCC cell migration and invasiveness.7, 9, 11 In summary, the data presented by Ding and coworkers have unravelled a novel regulatory network controlling tumor cell invasion and metastasis in HCC. The gene FAK and the miRNA miR-151 are both encoded by the same chromosomal locus that is frequently amplified in the HCC cohort examined and they show a striking biological synergism in controlling tumor cell invasiveness; however, they exert this function by distinct molecular mechanisms to control activity of Rho GTPases (Fig. 1). As discussed by the authors, pharmacological targeting of this novel miR-151/RhoGDIA signaling module might represent a promising strategy for the development of potential therapeutics against HCC.

Conclusion: In conclusion,

we present a case of MANEC of

Conclusion: In conclusion,

we present a case of MANEC of the mid CBD. Most of the MANEC cases, including this case, might be initially diagnosed as cholangiocarcinoma. It is considered difficult to diagnose MANEC through biopsy via ERCP, because neuroendocrine component is embedded in the deeper portion of the tumor. So we suggest that acquisition of surgical specimen and thorough investigations to make a correct diagnosis is important to establish the treatment Cell Cycle inhibitor and estimate the prognosis in the extrahepatic bile duct cancer. Key Word(s): 1. neuroendocrine; 2. neoplasm; 3. Cholangiocarcinoma; 4. Common bile duct; Presenting Author: YONGHWAN KWON Additional Authors: CHANGMIN CHO, MINKYU JUNG Corresponding Author: check details YONGHWAN KWON Affiliations: Kyungpook national university hospital Objective: To determine the effectiveness of endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy (EPS) for the prevention of post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) in high risk patients compared with endoscopic pancreatic duct stent placement after EPS. Methods: This present study was conducted a single-blind, multi-center, randomized controlled trial to compare the incidence of PEP between EPS and dislodgement of the stent (5.0 Fr*, 50 mm). We enrolled patients

who are needed ERCP procedure with normal pancreatic duct and defined difficult cannulation as PD injection of contrast 3 or more times, 5 or more times of catheter insertion of P duct, or pancreatic parenchymal acnaization. Patients were randomized to a PST group (n = 22) or to a stent group (n = 30). After ERCP, we checked the patient’s abdominal symptom, serum amylase and lipase after 6, 24 and 48 hour for PEP. Results: Of total 56 difficult cannulation cases, each one case in both

groups was excluded due to procedure failure. Finally, 24 cases in EPS group and 30 patients EPS and stent group were enrolled (Fig-1). The mean age (±standard deviation) was 63.88 ± 9.64 years in EPS group and 63.53 ± 13.55 years in EPS and stent group. The male: female ratio 15 : 9 in EST group and 15 : 15 in EST and stent group. The mean procedure time (minutes) was 17.75 ± 14.18 in EST group and 17.37 ± 10.65 in EST and stent group. There were no significant differences between groups with respect to age, gender, mean 上海皓元 procedure time or the purpose of ERCP intervention. The frequency of PEP in EST and EST and stent groups was 9.1% (2/22) and 10.0% (3/30). The severity of pancreatitis was two mild cases in each group and 1 severe case in EST and stent group. There was no statical difference comparing the incidence of PEP in both group (P = 0.607, Fisher’s exact test). The rate of hyperamylasemia were 37.5% (9/24) in EST group and 16.7% (5/30) in the EST and stent group (P = 0.098, χ2 test). There was no other complication after procedure in both groups (Table-1).

[9] In addition, this multicenter study included patients with CD

[9] In addition, this multicenter study included patients with CD from 13 hospitals nationwide. Most patients were referred by primary care physicians and were subsequently diagnosed and treated by IBD specialists at each hospital. These factors may attenuate the recruitment bias. Second, the follow-up period of CD patients was relatively short and variable. It may affect the cumulative rate of CD-related surgery, which was presented in Figure 1. Most censorings happened during

the first 10 years and the steep rise of Kaplan–Meier curve occurred after that. However, we did not anticipate that it would greatly influence the results

Navitoclax chemical structure in assessment of predictors for the clinical outcomes because Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression methods measure the proportion of patients over a period of time for each group. Additionally, only patients with a follow-up period of more than 6 months were included in our cohort. Considering a part of CD patients presented with severe disease requiring biologics in the initial course of disease, the inclusion criteria of our study may cause potential bias, which can influence on the results. Finally, because this study was conducted in a retrospective manner, we could not control all confounding factors in the analysis. Especially, variety of confounding factors such as different indication or timing for starting 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 immunosuppressants (azathioprine selleck chemicals or 6-mercaptopurine) or biologics (infliximab)

according to doctors might influence the results when analyzing factors related to use of these agents. Despite these limitations, the strength of this study is that it was a large, multicenter cohort study to identify predictive factors associated with clinical outcomes in the Korean population. In addition, we identified variables associated with three different end-points (first surgery, need of immunosuppressive agents, or biological agents) in one study. In conclusion, the present study identified stricturing, penetrating disease behavior, and smoking habits at the time of diagnosis as independent predictors for a first CD-related surgery. In addition, we also found that younger age (< 40 years), ileal involvement, and perianal disease at diagnosis are associated with the need for immunosuppressive or biological agents. Given the differences in pathophysiology and clinical aspects with different ethnicities, our results may characterize the natural disease course in Korean CD patients and be useful to assess risk, predict the clinical outcomes, and determine optimized treatment plans for these patients.

We did not find a difference between the extension of edema and t

We did not find a difference between the extension of edema and that of restricted perfusion at a very early time point and therefore could not identify any tissue at risk of ischemia. Our findings suggest reduced perfusion and edema to have a common cause rather than presupposing one another. “
“To evaluate the short-term outcome of erythropoietin (EPO) therapy

in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) using manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI). Rats were divided in an EPO and a control group. Laminectomy Liproxstatin-1 order at Th11 was performed, followed by SCI. MnCl2 was applied into the cisterna magna and functional recovery was examined after injury using BBB-scoring. Then, rats were euthanized and the spinal cord was extracted for MEMRI. Finally, histological analysis was performed and correlated with MEMRI. EPO-treated animals showed significantly better functional recovery (P = .008, r = .62) and higher mean signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in MEMRI compared to controls for slices 10-13 (P = .017, R2 = .31) at the level of the lesion epicenter. Functional recovery correlated significantly

with higher SNR values, determined using the mean SNR between slices 10 and 13 (P RO4929097 = .047, R2 = .36). In this region, histology revealed a significantly decreased number of microglia cells and apoptosis in EPO-treated animals. MEMRI successfully depicts the therapeutic effect of EPO in early SCI that leads to a significant recovery in rats, a significantly reduced immune response and significantly reduced number of apoptotic cells at the height of the lesion epicenter. “
“Our aim was to investigate a novel approach to perform preoperative evaluation patients who underwent middle cerebral artery (MCA) percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS). Sixty-five patients with symptomatic MCA stenosis of at least >70% who underwent

MCA PTAS were enrolled. The multimodal stroke assessment using CT (MOSAIC) score was used to evaluate the preoperative condition. The Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed MCE Tomography Scoring (ASPECTS) was used to assess the time-to-peak (TTP) parameter of Computer tomography perfusion (CTP). The factors potentially improving TTP following stenting were investigated. The prognostic value of the MOSAIC scores to predict TTP improvement was analyzed and compared. The MOSAIC score was a reliable prognostic tool for the degree of improvement of TTP (odds ratio 1.89 [1.08-2.07], P < .01) in patients with PTAS. The MOSAIC score had a higher prognostic accuracy than the degree of CBF deficit, the degree of stenosis, and the amount of tissue infarction. During 1-year follow-up, the stroke and death rate of was 8.1%, the in-stent restenosis rate was 6.5%, and good final outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≤ 2) was observed in 76.9%. The MOSAIC score can be reliably used in selecting patients with MCA stenosis for PTAS.

One such example is mild hypothermia, which is increasingly being

One such example is mild hypothermia, which is increasingly being employed in the management of the cerebral complications of ALF before liver transplantation.22, 23 Hypothermia delays the onset of encephalopathy, prevents brain edema, and impairs both microglial activation (Fig. 1B) and proinflammatory cytokine production in the brain.6 A more recent study has demonstrated that TNF-α or IL-1 receptor gene deletion delays

the onset of encephalopathy and attenuates brain edema in mice with ALF resulting from toxic liver injury,8 and treatment with the TNF-α receptor antagonist etanercept likewise attenuates buy PD0325901 encephalopathy severity and prevents brain edema during ALF.24 An interesting new dimension pertinent to novel therapeutics click here for ALF is provided by the report that minocycline, an agent with established and potent inhibitory properties25 with respect to microglial activation that are independent of its antimicrobial properties, inhibits proinflammatory cytokine production, delays the progression of encephalopathy,

and attenuates brain edema in experimental ALF26 (Fig. 1B). Another interesting agent that has potent inhibitory action on microglial activation and has been found to improve cognitive function in those with neuroinflammatory disorders is the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine.27 The translation of these promising leads into the clinic has the potential to stimulate further research on the role of neuroinflammation and to provide novel alternative (or additional) strategies for the management and treatment of the neurological complications of liver failure in the future. “
“Background and Aims:  Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (CASE) is made up of astragalosides, astragalus polysaccharide and salvianolic acids extracted from Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (Leguminosae) and Salvia miltiorhiza Bunge (Lamiaceae) medchemexpress with a standard ratio. Previous reports showed that CASE inhibited hepatic fibrosis by mediating transforming

growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad signaling. This study further investigated the effect of CASE on hepatoma HepG2 cells stimulated by TGF-β1 and its potential action mechanisms by TGF-β/Smad signaling. Methods:  Cell proliferation was studied by MTT assay and cell invasion was evaluated by measuring cell migration through Matrigel. Protein expression in hepatoma HepG2 cells stimulated by TGF-β1 was analyzed by western blotting and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) transcriptional activity in HepG2 cells was evaluated. Results:  CASE (40 µg/mL) markedly suppressed cell invasion triggered by TGF-β1. Smad3 phosphorylation at the linker region (pSmad3L) and Samd2 phosphorylation at the C-terminal region (pSmad2C) were significantly reduced by CASE. Mild elevated Smad3 phosphorylation at C-terminal (pSmade3C) region was enhanced by CASE at 20 µg/mL.

Transplanted mice were kept in individual ventilation cages and s

Transplanted mice were kept in individual ventilation cages and supplemented with 0.001% enrofloxacin (Bayer HealthCare, Berlin, Germany) in sterile drinking water. Engraftment was evaluated at 6-9 weeks by determining the presence of human CD45+ populations Panobinostat cell line in mouse blood and BM. The percentage of human CD45+ cells was calculated as the proportion of labeled human CD45+ over isotype antibody control. For multilineage engraftment, human CD45+CD33+ and CD45+CD71+ cells were measured in mouse BM; human CD45+CD19+ and

CD45+CD4+ cells were measured in mouse peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Anti-CD45-FITC and anti-CD4-APC antibodies were from BD Pharmingen; anti-CD19-PE, anti-CD33-APC, and anti-CD71-APC antibodies were from BioLegend. Data are presented as the percentage and the mean ± standard deviation (SD). Fisher’s exact test and the Student t test were performed using SPSS software (v. 16.0; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). P < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Although blood chimerism development is not uncommon in LT patients, the related reports have presented only a single or a few cases. There has not been any study on hematopoietic chimerism in a large cohort and in long-term LT patients. We investigated hematopoietic chimerism of donor origin

in 249 LT survival patients; the shortest time after LT was 1 day, and the longest time BMN 673 purchase after LT was 8 years. The overall incidence of blood chimerism was 6.43% (16 of 249; Table 1). The incidence of chimerism was 11.11% (10 of 90) among patients evaluated a short time after LT (1 day to <6 months), whereas the incidence was 3.77% (6 of 159) among long-term LT survival patients (6 months to 8 years; Table 2). There were 6 patients with chimerism lasting more than 7 months, with the longest lasting 4.0-4.5 years (case 351; Fig. 1A). Thus, the short time after LT group had a significantly

higher blood chimerism (P = 0.03; Table 2). Blood chimerism of donor origin could result from resident leukocytes/lymphocytes in the liver graft6, 16, 17; it could also result from HSPCs present in the liver. If the chimerism results from donor HSPCs, then the type of donor liver, the sex of the donor, and the age of the donor may have an effect on the development of blood chimerism. We found that there were medchemexpress no statistically significant associations between donor liver type (i.e., cadaveric and living), donor sex (male and female), or donor age (<50 and ≥50 years old), and chimerism formation (Table 2). Thus, liver graft type and sex and age of the donor had no significant effects on the development of chimerism. Interestingly, chimerism-positive cases were 7.57% (14 of 185) in non–hepatocellular carcinoma (non-HCC) LT patients. These non-HCC LT patients included those with cirrhosis or cirrhosis with acute complication, chronic or acute hepatitis; and congenital or heritable diseases. By comparison, there were 3.13% (2 of 64) positive cases in HCC patients.

[12] In that study, the therapeutic effect was determined 6 weeks

[12] In that study, the therapeutic effect was determined 6 weeks after the start of Tac, and it was effective in 75% of cases (61% remission and 14% improvement). It was found that CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms were not associated with efficacy and that the presence or absence of TT type in the 1236C/T, 2677G/T/A, and 3435C/T of ABCB1 was related to the clinical effect. Several differences are thought to be causative factors in this difference from the present study. One major difference is the ABT-888 research buy racial difference

in genetic polymorphisms of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and ABCB1.[9-11] There is a large difference in CYP3A5 Non-Exp in particular at 35–65% in Asians and 85–90% in Caucasians.[9-11] In fact, CYP3A5 Non-Exp accounted for 89.9% in the report by Herrlinger et al.,[12] clearly higher than the 46.7% in the present study. Nearly 90% of patients were Non-Exp, and

this is thought to be why CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms did not affect the R788 nmr percentage of patients achieving the optimal trough level and the clinical effect. It may be inferred that the high remission rate of 61% is attributable to the fact that the subjects were Caucasians, a population susceptible to the effects of Tac. As for adverse effects, the results of the current study were similar to other reports.[3, 26] There were no differences in the frequencies of adverse effects between the Exp group and the Non-Exp group. A limitation of this study is that the analysis was done with a small number

of UC patients in a single institution. However, the results of genetic polymorphisms of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and ABCB1 were nearly the same as in previously reported analyses of Asian patients.[14, 17] The pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effect of Tac were investigated in IBD patients, and interesting new findings were obtained, namely that CYP3A5 Non-Exp is associated with achieving the optimal Tac trough level and short-term clinical remission. These findings suggest that understanding the genetic polymorphisms of CYP3A5 in UC medchemexpress patients is useful in controlling the dosage, such as establishing higher initial dosages in Exp than in Non-Exp and establishing greater increases when changing the dose after confirming the trough level. Thus, it may be possible to implement tailor-made medicine suited to the individual case in the therapy of UC patients. Interestingly, there is some doubt as to a relationship between the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine, also a calcineurin inhibitor, and CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms.[27-30] Cyclosporine is also used in treating UC, but unlike Tac, no advantages can be expected from confirming the CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms. In conclusion, this study showed that CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms affect the pharmacokinetics of Tac and short-term clinical remission, at least in Asian patients. Various factors are thought to be related to the individual differences in Tac treatment effect.

It should be noted that our study, using Cyp7a1-tg mice as a mode

It should be noted that our study, using Cyp7a1-tg mice as a model, does not necessarily contradict results from other bile-acid–treated experimental models because we have shown that increasing de novo bile acid synthesis did not result in bile acid accumulation in the liver, likely as a result of efficient bile acid secretion. Finally, this study identified that a novel miR-33a-mediated repression of CYP7A1, as a result of SREBP2 induction, could be part of the feedback loop to reduce bile acid synthesis. C59 wnt The recent discovery of coexpression of SREBP2 and miR-33a, as well as down-regulation of ABCA1 by miR-33a, provided the first evidence that miR-33a down-regulates

cellular cholesterol efflux to HDL in response to decreased cellular cholesterol levels to maintain hepatic lipid homeostasis.[9] Our study provides further evidence that miR-33a inhibition of CYP7A1 and bile acid synthesis may also contribute to maintaining cholesterol homeostasis. Cholesterol/oxysterols might also repress miR-33a levels to increase CYP7A1 expression as well as cholesterol efflux transporters.[9] Figure 6 shows a proposed mechanism for the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis by a CYP7A1/SREBP2/miR-33a axis, based on this study, and the Fulvestrant clinical trial well-recognized mechanism for maintaining cholesterol homeostasis and pool by intracellular cholesterol or oxysterol levels.[8]

Increased CYP7A1 enzyme activity results in increased cholesterol catabolism and decreased intracellular cholesterol, which leads to proteolytic

activation of SREBP2 and subsequent stimulation of de novo cholesterol synthesis and LDLR-mediated cholesterol uptake to reduce serum cholesterol. Simultaneously, SREBP2 activation of its own gene transcription coinduces miR-33a, which down-regulates cholesterol efflux transporters and bile acid synthesis. These changes result in increased intrahepatic cholesterol, which subsequently represses SREBP2 and miR-33a expression. This mechanism integrates bile acids and cholesterol metabolism to control lipid homeostasis at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Thus, CYP7A1 may play a central role in sensing intracellular cholesterol 上海皓元 levels by converting excess hepatic cholesterol to bile acids, thus activating SREBP2 and miR-33a, which inhibits CYP7A1 translation as a rapid feedback mechanism. Inducing CYP7A1 activity by targeting miR-33a may be a potential therapeutic approach to improve metabolic homeostasis. This study suggests that the cardioprotective effects of miR-33a antagonism can be attributed not only to stimulating HDL biogenesis, but also bile acid synthesis, the final step in macrophage-to-feces reverse cholesterol transport. In this study, we also showed that mRNA of CYP8B1, NTCP, and BSEP were repressed upon miR-33a overexpression in mice, indicating that miR-33a antagonism also stimulates enterohepatic bile acid circulation.

The mechanism by which the abnormal myosin heavy chain produces t

The mechanism by which the abnormal myosin heavy chain produces these phenotypes is not clear, although myosins are involved in a variety of cell functions including

cytokinesis and cell motility. In platelets, this is reflected in defective shape change in response to stimulation and poor clot retraction. Scott syndrome is a rare defect in the outward transmembrane migration of procoagulant phospholipids that results in defective plasma membrane mediated support of coagulation factor complex assembly. Decreased surface exposure of phosphatidylserine on activated platelets compromises the binding of factors Va and Xa, and the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin [22]. Other aspects of platelet function are normal. The molecular basis for this Selleck LY2109761 condition is unknown, although genetic lesions affecting calcium regulation in mice produce a similar phenotype [4]. Glanzmann first described the disease in 1918 as ‘hereditary Alpelisib molecular weight haemorrhagic thrombasthenia’ [23]. GT is an autosomal recessive bleeding syndrome affecting the megakaryocyte lineage and characterized by a lack of in vitro platelet aggregation in response to all soluble agonists. It is a moderate to severe disorder with mainly MCB. The molecular

basis is linked to quantitative and/or qualitative abnormalities of the αIIbβ3 integrin, the receptor that mediates the incorporation of platelets into an aggregate or thrombus at sites of vessel injury. Glanzmann thrombasthenia is the only disease in which platelet aggregation is defective to all agonists, while absent clot retraction is another 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 frequent feature. It must be differentiated from other platelet functional disorders, such as defects of primary receptors or signalling pathways, an also from SPDs, an inherited abnormality of TxA2 formation or the acquired form resulting

from aspirin ingestion. Hereditary thrombocytopenia can be ruled out by normal platelet count, and normal coagulation tests can rule out VWD and hypo/afibrinogenemia. Acquired forms can occur with acute promyelocytic leukaemia [24] caused by a chromosome 15–17 translocation [25]. Megakaryocytes are found in bone marrow and when mature, liberate a large number of platelets into the circulation. In GT, platelets fail to aggregate in response to all natural agonists, although they undergo normal shape change. Thrombasthenic platelets also adhere to exposed subendothelial matrix and undergo exocytosis of storage granules normally. The subsequent reactions of platelet spreading and thrombus formation are defective [26]. This led to the recognition that the disease is caused by selective abnormalities of platelet membrane glycoproteins [27]. Specific deficiencies of either GPIIb (αIIb) or GPIIIa (β3) can lead to deficiency of integrin αIIbβ3, the expression of which is restricted to cells of megakaryocytic lineage [28,29]. Integrin αIIbβ3 acts as a receptor for fibrinogen, VWF, fibronectin, vitronectin and CD40L [30–32].