[Pathophysiology of autoimmune thrombocytopenia]

Current knowledge of the pathomechanism of autoimmune thrombocytopenias is discussed on the basis of our own experimental and clinical experience. Of particular interest is the role of the target antigen(s) involved. Autoantibody binding to certain antigens may result either in premature sequestration or in functional impairment of platelets, or in both. The mechanisms by which autoantibodies are formed are still poorly understood. Serological methods have increased our knowledge of the pathomechanisms of immune thrombocytopenias and studies with 111Indium labelled platelets provided detailed information on platelet kinetics. The importance of the reticuloendothelial system and the therapeutic consequences derived from experimental and clinical observations are discussed.