title: The molecular biology of thrombotic microangiopathy.
abstract: Thrombotic microangiopathy, which includes thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), shiga-toxin-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (Stx-HUS) and atypical HUS, is characterized by the development of hyaline thrombi in the microvasculature resulting in thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolysis, and organ dysfunction. Renal failure is a predominant complication of both Stx-HUS and atypical HUS, whereas neurological complications are more prominent in TTP. Other disorders such as lupus or bone marrow transplantations may occasionally present with features of thrombotic microangiopathy. Recent studies have found autoimmune inhibitors or genetic mutations of a von Willebrand factor (VWF) cleaving metalloprotease ADAMTS13 in patients with TTP. In approximately 30-50% of patients with atypical HUS, mutations have been detected in complement factor H, membrane cofactor protein (CD46), or factor I. All three proteins are involved in the regulation of complement activation. Additionally, autoantibodies of factor H have been described in patients without genetic mutations. These advances illustrate that dysregulation of VWF homeostasis or complement activation owing to genetic or autoimmune mechanisms may lead to the syndrome of thrombotic microangiopathy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10467, USA. htsai@montefiore.org
authors.forename: H-M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D000071120:ADAMTS13 Protein; D000818:Animals; D017242:Complement Factor H / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051916:Membrane Cofactor Protein / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000503:physiopathology; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051916:Membrane Cofactor Protein; D017242:Complement Factor H; D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000071120:ADAMTS13 Protein; C099604:ADAMTS13 protein, human