Protein and glycoprotein abnormalities in an unusual subtype of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia

A patient with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia has been analysed by high resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Although clot retraction is subnormal, glycoproteins IIb and IIIa are completely absent and platelet fibrinogen is strongly reduced indicating an unusual subtype of type II thrombasthenia. No changes in the pI of glycoproteins have been observed. Heterogeneity in Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is discussed.