Platelets and the antiphospholipid syndrome

The antiphospholipid syndrome is a non-inflammatory autoimmune disease characterised by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in the plasma of patients with venous or arterial thrombosis or recurrent complications of pregnancy. The strong relation between the presence of antibodies against anionic phospholipids and thrombo-embolic complications is well established, but how the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies results in the observed clinical manifestations remains a mystery. Experimental observations suggest that an altered regulation of platelet function can cause the thrombotic complications observed in the antiphospholipid syndrome. In this review, we will discuss the evidence that the platelet is an important player in the pathogenesis of the antiphospholipid syndrome.