title: Antibodies against protein Z and fetal loss: current perspectives.
abstract: Protein Z (PZ) is a vitamin K-dependent plasma protein that serves as a cofactor for the inactivation of factor Xa. A number of investigators found low PZ levels in patients with haemorrhagic as well as thromboembolic diseases, although there is no clear evidence of a pathogenic link between PZ deficiency and these clinical disorders. Nevertheless, low PZ levels have been found in association with early fetal losses, especially those occurring before the 15th week of gestation and in patients with detectable antiphospholipid and anti-PZ antibodies. The current diagnostic relevance and therapeutic consequences of these parameters will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Coagulation Unit, Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Free University and Humboldt University Berlin, Schumannstrasse 20/21, D-10098, Berlin, Germany. thomas.doerner@charite.de
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dörner
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hoppe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salama
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pruss
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kiesewetter
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000032:analysis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D001798:Blood Proteins; C026080:plasma protein Z