title: Pathogenic T-cell responses in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) is a bleeding disorder in which autoantibodies are directed against an individual's own platelets, leading to enhanced clearance through Fc receptor (R)-mediated phagocytosis by macrophages residing in the reticuloendothelial system, particularly in the spleen. This review surveys the recent current literature and updates our understanding of the cell-mediated immunology of AITP. It will focus on the relationship between T-cell reactivities and cytokine profiles in patients with AITP. Understanding these cellular immune aspects of AITP is vital for developing antigen-specific immunotherapies to treat the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. semplej@smh.toronto.on.ca
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Semple
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines