Alternative titles and symbols : Thrombophilia due to antithrombin III deficiency; THPH7;
Description : Deficiency of antithrombin III is a major risk factor for venous thromboembolic disease.
Two categories of AT-III deficiency have been defined on the basis of AT-III antigen
levels in the plasma of affected individuals. The majority of AT-III deficiency families
belong in the type I (classic) deficiency group and have a quantitatively abnormal
phenotype in which antigen and heparin cofactor levels are both reduced to about 50%
of normal. The second category of AT-III deficiency has been termed type II (functional)
deficiency. Affected individuals from these kindreds produce dysfunctional AT-III
molecules; they have reduced heparin cofactor activity levels (about 50% of normal)
but levels of AT-III antigen are often normal or nearly normal (summary by Bock and
Prochownik, 1987). The 2 categories of antithrombmin III deficiency have been classified
further. Type I (low functional and immunologic antithrombin) has been subdivided
into subtype Ia (reduced levels of normal antithrombin), and type Ib (reduced levels
of antithrombin and the presence of low levels of a variant). Type II (low functional
but normal immunologic antithrombin) has been subdivided into subtype IIa (functional
abnormalities affecting both the reactive site and the heparin-binding site of AT3);
subtype IIb (functional abnormalities limited to the reactive site); and subtype IIc
(functional abnormalities limited to the heparin-binding site) (summary by Lane et
al., 1992).;
Molecular basis : Caused by mutation in the antithrombin III gene (AT3, 107300.0001);
Laboratory abnormalities : Antithrombin III deficiency; Type II, normal antithrombin III level but decreased activity; Type I, classic, decreased antithrombin III levels;