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Antibody Profiling by Luciferase Immunoprecipitation Systems (LIPS)
Published on: October 7, 2009
Antiphospholipid antibodies: laboratory and pathogenetic aspects
P G Vlachoyiannopoulos1, M Samarkos, M Sikara
1Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School, National University of Athens, Greece. pvlah@med.uoa.gr
Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
|April 25, 2007
Summary
Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are autoantibodies linked to thrombosis and pregnancy issues in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). While assays exist, standardization remains a challenge for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are autoantibodies binding phospholipids or associated proteins.
- They are found in isolation, with autoimmune diseases like SLE, or during infections.
- aPL are associated with thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity, defining antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the characteristics and pathogenic mechanisms of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL).
- To highlight the clinical relevance of aPL in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
- To discuss the diagnostic methods and challenges for aPL detection.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on antiphospholipid antibodies.
- Analysis of immunological and coagulation assays for aPL detection.
- Examination of clinical and experimental data on aPL pathogenicity.
Main Results:
- aPL are heterogeneous and detected via various immunological and coagulation assays.
- Assays for aPL detection are not fully standardized, leading to interlaboratory variations.
- Pathogenic aPL interfere with coagulation factors and the protein C system, and activate platelets and endothelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Antiphospholipid antibodies play a key role in the pathogenesis of APS when not infection-related.
- Interference with coagulation and endothelial cell activation are primary mechanisms of aPL pathogenicity.
- Standardization of diagnostic assays is crucial for reliable aPL detection and APS diagnosis.
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