[Antiphospholipid antibodies]

The concept of antiphospholipid syndrome(APS) has been widely accepted. Antiphospholipid antibodies originally included anticardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulants as serological marker of APS. However, recent advances have shown that most pathogenic antiphospholipid antibodies are directed to phospholipid binding proteins such as beta 2-glycoprotein I and prothrombin as well as phospholipids. The preliminary classification criteria for definite APS have been advocated as the "Sapporo criteria". Further prospective investigations are required to re-evaluate the clinical significance of so-called antiphospholipid antibodies.