Background: Human FIX (hFIX) gene transfer into hepatocytes has provided a novel approach for treatment of hemophilia B. To obtain an improved expression of hFIX, the functional hFIX-expressing plasmids with appropriate intron-derived fragments which facilitate transcription and promote an efficient 3′-end formation of mRNAs are required.Objectives: We ai...

The role of the factor IXa heparin-binding exosite in coagulation was assessed with mutations that enhance (R170A) or reduce (R233A) stability of the proteasefactor VIIIa A2 domain interaction. After tissue factor (TF) addition to reconstituted factor IX-deficient plasma, factor IX R170A supported a 2-fold increase in velocity index (slope) and peak thrombin concentration, whereas factor IX R23...

We have extended earlier studies (Blood 66:204, 1985) of a mechanism of inhibition of factor VIIa/tissue factor activity that requires a plasma component (called herein extrinsic pathway inhibitor or EPI) and factor Xa. An activated peptide release assay using 3H-factor IX as a substrate was used to evaluate inhibition. Increasing the tissue factor concentration from 20% to 40% (vol/vol) overca...

A potentially cost-effective strategy for gene therapy of hemophilia B is to create universal factor IX-secreting cell lines suitable for implantation into different patients. To avoid graft rejection, the implanted cells are enclosed in alginate-polylysine-alginate microcapsules that are permeable to factor IX diffusion, but impermeable to the hosts' immune mediators. This nonautologous approa...

Human factor IX circulates as a single-chain glycoprotein. Upon activation in vitro, it is cleaved into disulfide-linked light and heavy chains and an activation peptide. After reduction of activated 125I-factor IX, the heavy and light chains are readily identified by gel electrophoresis. A direct, immunoradiometric assay for factor IXa was developed to assess activation of factor IX for protea...

The development of inhibitory 'allo' antibodies to a deficient coagulation factor is arguably now the most severe and important complication of clotting factor concentrate exposure in haemophilia and other congenital coagulation disorders. Furthermore, development of an inhibitor to the factor VIII or factor IX transgene product remains a significant concern in gene therapy protocols for haemop...

We have generated a mouse where the clotting factor IX (FIX) gene has been disrupted by homologous recombination. The FIX nullizygous (-/-) mouse was devoid of factor IX antigen in plasma. Consistent with the bleeding disorder, the factor IX coagulant activities for wild-type (+/+), heterozygous (+/-), and homozygous (-/-) mice were 92%, 53%, and <5%, respectively, in activated partial thrombop...

The binding of Factor IX to membranes during blood coagulation is mediated by the N-terminal gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-rich (Gla) domain, a membrane-anchoring domain found on vitamin K-dependent blood coagulation and regulatory proteins. Conformation-specific anti-Factor IX antibodies are directed at the calcium-stabilized Gla domain and interfere with Factor IX-membrane interaction. One such ...

Mouse primary skin fibroblasts were infected with a recombinant retrovirus containing human factor IX cDNA. Bulk infected cells capable of synthesizing and secreting biologically active human factor IX protein were embedded in collagen, and the implant was grafted under the epidermis. Sera from the transplanted mice contain human factor IX protein for at least 10-12 days. Loss of immunoreactive...

A murine hybridoma clone is described that grows continuously in culture and produces a monoclonal antibody we have called Royal Free Monoclonal Antibody to factor IX No. 1 (RFF-IX/1). This has high affinity for a coagulation site on factor IX. RFF-IX/1 immobilised on sepharose can be used to deplete factor IX from normal human plasma. This immunoaffinity depleted plasma is indistinguishable fr...