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Thromb Haemost 2006; 95(03): 414-419
DOI: 10.1160/TH05-09-0596
Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis
Schattauer GmbH

Genetic influences on fibrinogen, tissue plasminogen activatorantigen and von Willebrand factor in males and females

Marlies de Lange
1   Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Eco J. C. de Geus
1   Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Cornelis Kluft
2   Gaubius Laboratory, TNO Quality of Life, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
Piet Meijer
2   Gaubius Laboratory, TNO Quality of Life, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
Lorenz J. P. van Doornen
3   Department of Health Psychology Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
,
Dorret I. Boomsma
1   Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Harold Snieder
4   Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA
5   Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, United Kingdom
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: Netherlands Heart Foundation 90.313
Supported by: European Commission GenomEUtwin QLG2-CT-2002–01254
Further Information

Publication History

Received 01 September 2005

Accepted after revision 13 January 2006

Publication Date:
29 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Differences in genetic influence on death from CHD between males and females have been reported. Haemostatic factors have consistently been associated with risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), but sex differences in genetic architecture have not been studied. This study in middle-aged twins investigates whether there are sex differences in means and in genetic and/ or environmental variance components of haemostatic risk factors for CHD. A total of 93 monozygotic twin pairs (44 male and 49 female) and 116 dizygotic twin pairs (36 male, 40 female and 40 opposite sex) were available for this study. Structural equation modelling was used to estimate the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on variation in levels of fibrinogen, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) antigen and von Willebrand factor (vWF). Mean levels of tPA and vWF increased with age. Oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and menopause had significant influences on levels of fibrinogen and tPA. Genetic influences explained 39, 66 and 72% of the variation in levels of fibrinogen, tPA and vWF, respectively. No quantitative or qualitative differences of genetic influences on haemostatic levels were seen between males and females. Haemostatic factors may account fora significant part of the genetic risk for cardiovascular disease. No difference in genetic architecture for levels of fibrinogen, tPA or vWF was observed between males and females.

Keywords

Twins - haemostasis - heritability - sex differences - oral contraceptive pill
 

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