Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

A Uniform Shear Assay for Human Platelet and Cell Surface Receptors via Cone-plate Viscometry
Published on: June 5, 2019
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Bethan Psaila1, James B Bussel
1Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Weill-Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, 515 East 71st Street, S-724, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder causing low platelet counts due to antibody-mediated destruction. New treatments target underlying immune mechanisms, offering alternatives to traditional therapies.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by autoantibodies leading to accelerated platelet destruction.
- Patients with ITP often experience mucocutaneous bleeding, with rare instances of severe hemorrhages like intracranial hemorrhage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of ITP.
- To highlight recent pathophysiologic insights and emerging therapeutic strategies for ITP.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on ITP epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Focus on recent pathophysiologic discoveries and ongoing areas of research and controversy.
Main Results:
- Traditional therapies like steroids, immunoglobulin, and splenectomy aim to reduce platelet destruction.
- Novel treatments include thrombopoietic agents, Fcgamma receptor inhibitors, and B-cell depletion therapies, addressing immune mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the immunopathogenesis of ITP has led to the development of targeted therapies.
- Ongoing research continues to refine diagnosis and treatment strategies for immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of Hemostasis
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Formation of the Platelet Plug
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
Structure and Function of Platelets
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

