Thrombogenic mechanisms of antiphospholipid antibodies.
These studies indicate how immunoglobulin populations that react with phospholipid surfaces in the absence of other cofactor molecules can selectively inhibit anticoagulant pathways and lead to a prothrombotic state. These studies combined with those of others indicating the presence of a-PE antibodies (often in isolation) in thrombotic patients illustrate the need to better define the assays to determine patients at risk. Neither the LA assays nor the anti-cardiolipin assays presently in use may be testing for the population(s) of clinical importance. A better understanding of the biochemical requirements of the various reactions involved should help the rational design of such assays. The preliminary studies of Salmon, et al, also show that the genetic context of the patient may contribute to the thrombotic mechanism of any APA present. It is unlikely any single mechanism is responsible for the thrombogenic activity of all APAs associated with thrombosis and this will be a fertile field of investigation for a significant time to come.
Esmon
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Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Oklahoma City, USA. naomiesmon@omrf.uokhac.edu
Smirnov
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Esmon
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D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000276:immunology*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000276:immunology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor / Q000276:immunology; D008566:Membranes / Q000276:immunology; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000097:blood; D011486:Protein C / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000276:immunology*
D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D011486:Protein C