title: Antiphospholipid syndrome: pathogenic mechanisms.
abstract: Despite the strong association between antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and thrombosis, the pathogenic role of aPL in the development of thrombosis has not been fully elucidated. Proposed pathophysiological mechanisms may be categorized into two types. First, aPL may act in vivo by disrupting the kinetics of the normal procoagulant and anticoagulant reactions occurring on cell membranes. Second, aPL may stimulate certain cells thereby altering the expression and secretion of various molecules. In this article, we review the mechanisms by which aPL may develop thrombotic events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Institut Clínic d'Infeccions i Immunologia, Hospital Clínic, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Espinosa
authors.forename: Ricard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cervera
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Font
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoenfeld
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000276:immunology*; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid