Pathogenesis of the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
Endothelial and/or platelet activation likely initiates thrombus formation. Whether antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) is an activator, a toxic response, or a protective response is not clear, nor is it certain whether aPL is germ-line encoded or antigen-driven. The pregnancy model is particularly informative. Alternative hypotheses about thrombogenicity which relegate aPL to the role of bystander have not yet been excluded.
Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
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MD
Lockshin
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy