Antiphospholipid antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome

The spectrum of clinical descriptions and clinicopathologic studies on patients with primary and secondary forms of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome continues to widen. Some differences exist for patients with lupus compared with those with Sjogren's syndrome. Some new thoughts regarding pathogenetic mechanisms and the cofactor beta 2 glycoprotein I have been generated. Last year marked the first time the International Symposium on Anti-Phospholipid Antibodies was held in the United States; new data regarding the heterogeneity of antiphospholipid antibodies and lupus anticoagulant were highlighted, as well as the growing concept that assay modifications should not only include attention to the cofactor but also to prothrombin and other phospholipids such as phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Prognostic and predictive factors of both a clinical and serologic nature of antiphospholipid antibodies are the focus of much recent work, as is the controversial role of steroid therapy for specific patients. Murine models of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome have opened new avenues to explore pathogenesis and therapeutic efficacy.