The antiphospholipid antibodies

Antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAs) are a group of autoantibodies directed against certain phospholipids, or their protein cofactors. Assay of APLAs is important because their interaction with anionic phospholipid-protein cofactors can generate a syndrome of hypercoagulability associated with a wide variety of thromboembolic events. This article presents the characteristics of some APLAs [anticardiolipin antibodies (aCLAs), lupus anticoagulant (LA) and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies (anti-beta2-GPIAs)], their action, and their interaction with blood and endothelial cells. The presence of APLAs has been reported in many diseases (autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis, infections, malignancies), being related to pathogenic mechanisms and/or to a more severe evolution of the disease.