Anti-?2-glycoprotein I antibodies
Anti-?2-glycoprotein I (anti-?2GPI) antibodies are the main antiphospholipid antibodies, along with anticardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant, that characterize the autoimmune disease antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). While the exact physiological functions of ?2GPI are unknown, there is overwhelming evidence that anti-?2GPI antibodies are pathogenic, contributing to thrombosis, pregnancy morbidity, and accelerated atherosclerosis in APS and systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The revelation that these antibodies play a central role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of APS has driven research to characterize the physiology and structure of ?2GPI as well as the pathogenic effects of anti-?2GPI antibodies. It has also resulted in the development of improved testing methodologies for detecting these antibodies. In this review we discuss the characteristics of ?2GPI; the generation, pathogenic effects, and standardized testing of anti-?2GPI antibodies; and the potential use of therapies that target the ?2GPI/ anti-?2GPI interaction in the treatment of APS.
anti-?2-glycoprotein i antibodies antiphospholipid antibodies antiphospholipid syndrome ?2-glycoprotein i