Antibodies against annexin A5: detection pitfalls and clinical associations

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) has been defined as a clinical and laboratory entity. Laboratory criteria include the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and/or lupus anticoagulant (LA), collectively termed as antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). However, there has been a rising interest in antibodies against so-called protein cofactors, particularly in beta(2)-glycoprotein I. In the early 90s, annexins were considered as target antigens for aPL, but at present the exact role of antibodies against annexins (aANX) remains puzzling. This review is concerned with annexin V or annexin A5 (ANXA5), a widespread member of the annexin family, and antibodies directed towards it. We have endeavoured to summarise essential information about the detection of anti-annexin V antibodies (aANXA5) and their clinical relevance. This review has also brought together some relevant published data concerning the structure, physiological role and therapeutic potential of ANXA5.