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Prevalence of antibodies to cardiolipin in chronic ITP and reactivity with platelet membranes
Author(s) -
Årfors L.,
Winiarski J.,
Lefvert A. K.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
european journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0902-4441
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1996.tb01934.x
Subject(s) - cardiolipin , platelet , autoantibody , antibody , epitope , immunology , medicine , chemistry , isotype , membrane , phospholipid , biochemistry , monoclonal antibody
Anti‐cardiolipin antibodies (ACLA) have been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia. When sera from 40 patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were analyzed for ACLA, these autoantibodies were present in 12 (30%). In 4 sera the antibody activity was restricted to the IgG or IgM isotype, respectively, while 4 of the samples contained both IgG and IgM antibodies. To elucidate the interaction between platelets and ACLA, we studied the reactivity of sera from non‐ITP patients with ACLA, with fragmented platelet membranes. None of them had a concurrent platelet deficiency, but sera from 8 (67%) of them showed increased IgG‐binding to platelet membranes. Absorbtion with cardiolipin reduced membrane binding in 6 (50%). C3 levels were normal, while low C4 values occurred in both groups with significantly lower levels in ACLA‐positive patients (p<0.05). Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were common in both groups. Abstract Conclusion : The prevalence of ACLA is increased in ITP and sera from non‐ITP patients with ACLA react with fragmented platelet membranes. This reactivity is often decreased by absorption with cardiolipin, suggesting that ACLA bind to phospholipid epitopes on platelet membranes.