Antiphospholipid antibodies: Paradigm in transition

Abstract

Objectives

This is a critical review of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL). Most prior reviews focus on the aPL syndrome (APS), a thrombotic condition often marked by neurological disturbance. We bring to attention recent evidence that aPL may be equally relevant to non-thrombotic autoimmune conditions, notably, multiple sclerosis and ITP.

Organization

After a brief history, the recent proliferation of aPL target antigens is reviewed. The implication is that many more exist. Theories of aPL in thrombosis are then reviewed, concluding that all have merit but that aPL may have more diverse pathological consequences than now recognized. Next, conflicting results are explained by methodological differences. The lupus anticoagulant (LA) is then discussed. LA is the best predictor of thrombosis, but why this is true is not settled. Finally, aPL in non-thrombotic disorders is reviewed.

Conclusion

The current paradigm of aPL holds that they are important in thrombosis, but they may have much wider clinical significance, possibly of special interest in neurology.

Background

This manuscript critically compares the many theories and concepts of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) as they pertain to the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and other clinical conditions where they occur. This review is not primarily concerned with clinical diagnosis and management, except peripherally. Although the topic of aPL has been reviewed many times, this review was inspired by findings in our laboratory and others suggesting that aPL may play roles in a variety of disorders apart from APS, not necessarily thrombotic.

According to Eng [1] and others, it was Pangborn who in 1941, following Wasserman's test for syphilis in 1903, identified an acidic phospholipid (PL) as the apparent target antigen of the test, specifically, cardiolipin (CL). CL is named for the bovine heart muscle from which it was obtained, heart being rich in mitochondria, a main source of CL. In 1952, Conley and Hartmann first described the lupus anticoagulant (LA), later interpreted as a consequence of aPL, in association with a hemorrhagic diathesis [2]. However, this and other early clinical observations were later overshadowed by frequent findings of thrombosis associated with positive anti-CL (aCL) test, leading to recognition of the aPL syndrome (APS) in the 1980s by Harris et al [3,4] and by Hughes et al [5], originally called anticardiolipin (aCL) syndrome, now sometimes Hughes' syndrome.

Although diagnostic criteria vary somewhat depending on sources, APS is generally defined by a repeatedly positive test for one or more aPL in conjunction with thrombosis or recurring pregnancy loss [6-13]. It is often accompanied by thrombocytopenia, episodic neurological disturbances [14], and/or numerous other clinical manifestations [15]. APS may be secondary to other underlying conditions, notably systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); otherwise, in the absence of other disorders is known as primary APS (PAPS). In its most life-threatening form, it is known as catastrophic APS (CAPS). In patients with CAPS occlusion of small blood vessels leads to multi-organ failure. Many reviews of APS with focus on clinical manifestations and management, laboratory methodologies, and hypotheses to account for the association between aPL and thrombosis exist [16-22]. However, as stressed in this review, many uncertainties remain.

What are aPL and how are they measured?

Originally, aPL were defined as antibodies reacting to cardiolipin (CL) but for reasons discussed below, no widely accepted definition of aPL any longer exists. They are measured by two distinct kinds of tests, solid-phase for particular aPL, and coagulation-based for LA. The former is usually an enzyme-linked immunosorption assay (ELISA), consisting in outline of adding a sample of patient serum or plasma to a plastic well coated with some particular PL or mixture of PLs, with or without a specific protein cofactor (see below), then measuring how much patient immunoglobulin (Ig) is captured by adding an anti-human IgG, IgM, or IgA conjugated with an enzyme that generates a colored product. Despite its simplicity, this procedure is subject to many subtle variations which can grossly affect results, discussed later. In contrast, LA are detected by the prolonged time required for coagulation of the patient's plasma relative to normal plasma in a test designed to be sensitive to PL. Most commonly, the dilute Russell viper venom time (dRVVT) is used. It is widely believed that the prolongation is caused by an aPL occupying sites on the PL which are required for binding the coagulation factors, thereby prolonging the time. The LA is discussed later.

Protein cofactors and definition of aPL

According to Roubey [16], three groups independently in 1990 demonstrated that a positive ELISA test for aCL depended on a protein cofactor, β₂-glycoprotein-I (β₂GPI) [23-25]. This had gone unnoticed because β₂GPI is present in most ELISA methods, either in the bovine or other animal serum commonly used for dilutions and/or for blocking the plate against non-specific binding, or in the test serum or plasma. The requirement for β₂GPI can be shown by using purified Ig and excluding other sources of β₂GPI. As a result, it was often argued that anti-β₂GPI is equivalent to aCL [26-29] or is even a surrogate for aPL generally [30]. Among the diagnostic criterion of APS has been the presence of β₂GPI-dependent aCL [9]. Since then, many additional aPL cofactors have been identified, reviewed below. This has resulted in the widely held opinion that all clinically relevant aPL are directed against protein target antigens rather than any particular pure PL. If so, the term aPL is an outmoded misnomer [31]. Thus, some authors place aPL in quotation marks to indicate the fallacy [32]. Accordingly, the implicit working definition of aPL now appears to be an antibody that targets a PL-binding protein [31-33]. The aPL may react preferentially with the PL-bound form, or may bind to the free antigen in plasma as an immune complex (IC) to potentiate binding to a given PL.

Do all clinically relevant aPL target proteins?

On the other hand, it is known that antibodies reacting to pure PL (no protein cofactor requirement) do occur in many infectious diseases, classically in syphilis but also in leprosy, leishmaniasis, malaria, Epstein Barr virus, hepatitis C virus and HIV, e.g. [34,35]. These are spoken of as the infectious disease type of aPL, and are often said to be non-pathogenic in themselves and thus clinically irrelevant. Partly for this reason, at least one updated criterion for APS diagnosis has dropped the requirement for aCL testing entirely [36]. However, Nash et al found that omitting classical aCL assay caused 25% of APS patients to be missed [37], and therefore urged that aCL testing be retained. Two commentaries on that article concur [38,39] and cite additional reasons.

More generally, the view that all clinically relevant aPL are directed against proteins has been challenged by a number of authorities [40-43]. To the examples cited by those authors we may cite the study of von Landenberg et al [44] in which an IgG antibody was cloned from B cells of each of two patients, one from APS with thrombosis and one from SLE without thrombosis, both of which reacted with CL yet showed no requirement for any protein in normal serum. Sorice et al [45] gave evidence that aCL and anti-β₂GPI are distinctly different antibodies, as did Forastiero et al. [27]; but the operative question debated is whether they are "clinically relevant". Findings concerning aCL in HIV further emphasize uncertainties about protein cofactor-independent aPL [46] (discussed later). McIntryre et al. provide criteria for distinguishing protein-dependent and -independent aPL [42]. More recently, biosensor analysis looks promising for clarification [47].

There is another and quite different justification for continued use of the term, aPL. Many laboratories, including ours, routinely test patients against a panel of pure PL. If positive, it is most likely that an antibody against some PL-binding protein in serum is being detected. However, since the identity of that putative protein is unknown, there is little choice but to speak of it as aPL+.

Survey of the antigens (or "cofactors")

Table 1 lists most of the aPL target antigens commonly recognized and several that are less well recognized as such, although meeting the above definition [48-68]. They are listed in groups from the most well-recognized and studied at top to less familiar ones at bottom.

Table 1.

Antigens of antiphospholipid antibodies

Antigen	References
Group 1. Best established & studied
β2GPI	Many, e.g.	29, 48,49
Prothrombin	Many, e.g.	8, 98, 50
Protein C, S	Many, e.g.	93
Annexin V	Many, e.g.	11, 123,124
Group 2. Also accepted but less studied
Thrombin		141
Annexin 2		130, 140
Complement C4, FH		131–133
Kininogens		31, 51,52,143
Kallikrein-related		52,133
FVII/FVIIa		135
Antithrombin III		137,138
Group 3. Pure phospholipids
Cardiolipin (CL)	Many, e.g.	46
PE	Many, e.g.	31
PS, PC, etc.	Many, e.g.	53
Oxidized CL		54,55
Oxidized LDL, other PL.		56–58,147,148
Group 4. Often or sometimes included
Plasmin		128
Tissue factor (TF)		134
TF path. inhibitor (TFPI)		130, 309
TPA		60,129
Platelet activating factor (PAF)		153
CD40/CD40L		154
Group 5. Associated or candidate aPL
CD36		157,158
Thrombomodulin		32
EPCR		61,63
Phospholipase A2		156
Group 6. Implicit under definition
FVIII	Many, e.g.	63–66,141
FX		16
FXI		52,67,155
FXII		68,161

Anti-β₂-glycoprotein I (anti-β₂GPI)

As already mentioned, anti-β₂GPI has been equated with aCL, so that β₂GPI (a.k.a. apolipoprotein H) became the most widely accepted and studied antigen relevant to APS [26,29,32]. However, several later studies found only a weak association between anti-β₂GPI and thrombosis [69,70], and this is the main reason why the aCL or β₂GPI-dependent aCL test has been dropped as a criterion of APS [36,70]. On the other hand, several studies have shown a strong association provided anti-β₂GPI is at very high titer [71-73]. The role of anti-β₂GPI in the LA test is reviewed later.

Despite the weak association, β₂GPI has been the main focus of theories to account for APS [22], discussed later. Evidence suggests that pathogenic anti-β₂GPI are limited to specific epitopes, especially the amino terminal (domain 1) [74-76]. The natural function of β₂GPI is unclear but it may contribute to regulating fibrinolysis [77] and platelet function [78]. β₂GPI co-purifies with thrombospondin from platelets [79]. It exhibits modest anticoagulant effects [80-83] which are augmented when bound to antibody [11]. However, Pengo has indicated that anti-β₂GPI can have either anti- or pro-coagulant effects [84]. Arvieux found that oxidation of β₂GPI caused either enhanced or decreased binding to Ig: 10 of 20 patients enhanced, 10 decreased [85].

One leading theory to account for its thrombogenicity is that by binding to PL surfaces, it interferes with the anticoagulant protein C system [86]. This popular theory has several variants. Roubey listed six variant theories for the procoagulance of β₂GPI as of 1994 [32], all seeming viable. β₂GPI and anti-β₂GPI have been localized to late endosomes in cytoplasm as well as the endothelial cell surface [87]. Since the literature on β₂GPI is large and is well summarized in reviews cited above, it is not further discussed here.

Anti-protein C, S (aProtC, aProtS)

These proteins, together with thrombomodulin, protein C inhibitor, and the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), constitute a vital natural anticoagulant system [88,89]. Deficiency of protein S, for example, is both a risk factor and an explanation for thrombotic events, either familial [90] or by acquired Ab [91], or by other causes [92]. The FV Leiden mutation is a risk factor by making FVa resistant to inactivation by activated protein C. Accordingly, aPL against ProtC and/or ProtS have been proposed to account for or contribute to thrombosis in APS [93]. It has been shown that β₂GPI enhances the function of ProtS [94], suggesting that anti-β₂GPI impairs the function of ProtS. However, these Ab are less common than anti-β₂GPI in most studies of APS. Bick and Pegram [95] provide a survey of the many kinds and causes of defects of ProtC and ProtS, including aPL. Duchemin et al detected LA in 85% of a group of 17 children with varicella, and aProtS was present in 75% of them, and thrombosis in 24%, all LA+ [96]. In a large study by Nojima et al, neither aProtS nor aProtC was associated with arterial thrombosis but aProtS exclusively associated with venous thrombosis (p = 0.003) while anti-β₂GPI had no such association [97].

Anti-prothrombin (aPT)

The majority of reports and reviews now discount the clinical value of assay for aPT [69,98,99]. At the same time, most concur that its wide prevalence and intriguing relationships warrant further study. Pengo et al found strong association of thrombosis with anti-β₂GPI but not with aPT and conclude that aPT is not a marker of thrombosis [100]. Indeed, it has been reported that aPT often has a hemorrhagic diathesis [101]. Conversely, Pasquier et al found significant association between venous thromboembolism (VTE) and aPT but not with anti-β₂GPI or other assays in their study. However, after patients were stratified by additional risk factors; they concluded that aPT screening has little value [102]. Of interest, however, is that aPT strongly correlated with aProtC and aProtS [100]. On the other hand, Vaarala et al found good association of aPT with myocardial infarcts in middle-aged men [103]. A review of aPT [8] suggests that interest in aPT stemmed, in part, from its occurrence in 75% of LA-positive patients [104] (see later on LA). Galli et al found that aPT are heterogeneous [105].

Atsumi et al [106] confirmed that aPT are heterogeneous (as are most aPL) and that the clinical relevance of aPT depends on the method of detection. For example, the complex of aPT with phosphatidylserine (aPT/PS) was associated with thrombosis but aPT itself was not. This highlights the importance of methodologies, discussed later. They, too, confirmed that aPT/PS correlates closely with LA. Donohoe et al explored variations of aPT methods and found conditions where aPT IgM, but not IgG, significantly associated with thrombosis [107]. Thus, aPT may indeed have real clinical significance but only if assayed in certain ways, and includes IgM assay. The review cited above [8] concludes cautiously, and notes that aPT occurs in several inflammatory disorders besides APS [108]; but this is true of many aPL.

Anti-annexin V (aAnV)

AnV, a calcium-dependent PL membrane-binding protein, was first identified in abundance in placenta, resulting in it being called placental anticoagulant protein 1. Other synonyms include lipocortin, anchorin, calphobindin and vascular anticoagulant alpha [109]. Otherwise, its function is not clear, but it does act like an ion channel [110]. It is widely distributed but at lower concentrations than in pregnancy. AnV binds specifically to anionic PL, especially PS, and therefore acts in vitro as an anticoagulant by competing for sites on PL membranes where the coagulation factors normally assemble into active complexes (prothrombinase and tenase) and so mimics the LA effect [111,112]. Fluorescent AnV is widely used to identify PS-positive apoptotic cells, procoagulant microparticles, and activated cells [113-117]. It has been shown that PS triggers a specific receptor for phagocytosis [118], although, as noted in that commentary, details are complex.

Antibodies to AnV (aAnV) are widely accepted as aPL in most reviews, e.g. [119]. In one study, frequency of aAnV+ in SLE, APS and other prothrombotic disorders was the same as anti-β₂GPI about 30%, and was the only significant risk factor for recurrent fetal loss, p = 0.01 [97]. Since AnV is believed to be an important anticoagulant during pregnancy, Donohoe et al offer evidence that anti-β₂GPI, along with blockade of AnV by aAnV, may explain APS-associated miscarriage [120]. Rand et al had earlier proposed that aPL caused pregnancy loss by reducing levels of AnV [121]. The association of aAnV with miscarriage has been observed frequently, recently by Galli et al [122]. Anti-AnV has been studied extensively in SLE [123-125] including in comparison with other aPL [97]. Like most aPL, aAnV has been noted in other conditions, notably in rheumatoid arthritis, where it may play a role in pathology [126,127]. In that connection, it may be added that variants of AnV occur, even within a single tissue such as cartilage [128], which may help explain discordant findings. Binding of AnV is sensitive to the structure of the PL surface [129]. Zhang et al reported that endothelial activation induced by aPL is mediated by AnV [130]. Several workers have proposed a role of aAnV in LA activity, discussed later.

Group 2 of Table 1

No attempt is made to review all the aPL listed. Group 2 includes those commonly cited in review articles but which are less well studied than Group 1. Anti-kininogens are discussed below with anti-phosphatidyl ethanolamine (aPE). Kertesz et al found anti-complement factor H (aCFH) competitive with anti-β₂GPI for CL binding [131]. Similarly, Arnout detected aCFH along with anti-β₂GPI in all of 5 plasma samples [132], and this was confirmed again by Rampazzo et al, who also found anti-C4 (aC4) [133]. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) of the non-E. coli type is thought to be mediated by aCFH, e.g. [134].

Anti-factor VII/VIIa (aFVII) was regularly found in aPL ELISA assays by Bidot et al [135]. Later, Minagar et al found a close association of aFVII with specific clinical states in multiple sclerosis [136], as discussed later.

Antibodies to antithrombin III (aAT-III) in APS patients were reported by Kolev et al [137], and were found to be associated with anti-heparin Ab in APS [138], i.e., heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Arnout has drawn interesting parallels between aPL and HIT/anti-platelet factor 4 [139]. The recent discovery of anti-annexin 2 in 40% of APS patients [140] aroused much interest, as did the finding of anti-thrombin Ab [141,142].

Group 3 of Table 1: Pure phospholipids (PL)

Aside from CL, the most commonly tested PL are phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), sometimes in mixtures; e.g. [119,135]. It appears that the protein cofactors responsible for positive aPE are predominately kininogens or kininogen-IC [143]. McIntyre et al proposed a novel hypothesis of aPL-dependent thrombosis on that basis [31]. Sanmarco et al reported a strong association of aPE IgM, but not other aPL, with APS and other unexplained thromboses [144]; however, an earlier report found that aPE was the only aPL tested that was not associated with thrombosis [145]. This further illustrates frequent discrepant findings. In a study of LA+ patients, who were divided into drug-induced vs. auto-Ab associated, aPE was 95% positive in the autoimmune groups (SLE, APS) [146].

As referenced in Table 1, much interest has centered on Ab to oxidizied PL (aOxPL) or oxidized lipoproteins such as low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in relation to thrombosis. This topic has extensive literature and we will only give some examples. Wu et al [147] followed 2322 subjects, age 50 or older, for up to 20 years. The investigators found that anti-oxLDL IgA correlated closely with aCL (p < 0.0001) but IgM and IgG had weak or no association, respectively. Steinerova et al [148] measured anti-oxPL in infants and observed that breast-fed babies, during the first 3 months, had much lower levels (p < 0.001) and less DNA breaks than those not breast-fed. As noted later, CL easily oxidizes in air so that many reports actually measure aOxCL, not aCL.

Group 4 of Table 1

These are PL membrane-binding proteins against which auto-Ab are known to occur, and therefore meet the definition of aPL, yet are not commonly listed in reviews of aPL, even though their binding properties suggest they may be detected, if unwittingly, in aPL assays against pure PL. However, a recent aPL review [22] includes Ab to plasmin [149] and to tissue plasminogen activator (aTPA) [150]. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) associates with many PL, and high-titer aTFPI was reported in APS [151]. (It was reported that anti-β₂GPI suppresses TFPI activity [152].) Certainly aTFPI is a candidate for prothrombotic effects but is rarely tested for.

Anti-platelet activating factor (aPAF) has also been reported in APS [153], as has anti-CD40 [154]. Tissue factor itself (TF), which is known to be carried on PS-expressing cell-derived microparticles, is also capable of eliciting auto-Ab, and aTF was listed as an aPL in at least one review [33], citing De Groot [155]. According to De Groot's review, anti-phospholipase A2 was also regarded as an aPL, by Vermylen and Arnout, 1992; and see [156].

Group 5 of Table 1

These are agents which do not fit the definition since they are normally membrane-bound, not free in plasma, yet have been listed in relation to aPL, if not aPL per se. Roubey [32] included anti-thrombomodulin (aTM) and anti-heparan sulfate proteoglycans (aHSP) "because of their respective roles in the control of thrombosis". Likewise, antibodies to CD36 (a.k.a. platelet glycoprotein IV) have been implicated in APS [157,158] and cited in aPL review [16], as has aEPCR, which can exist in soluble form. Anti-ADAMTS13 [159], believed responsible for most cases of TTP, is also prothrombotic; but these clearly fall outside the definition of aPL.

Group 6 of Table 1

These are PL-binding coagulation factors known to sometimes elicit autoantibodies but are not usually recognized as aPL. This is inconsistent with recognition of anti-prothrombin (aPT), anti-thrombin, anti-protein C, anti-FVII, anti-kininogens and anti-tPA as bona fide aPL. They can be detected in some aPL assays against pure PL if plasma is used and Ca²⁺present. Some have been implicated in APS. For example, Gallimore et al, after studies to measure FXII deficiency in the confounding presence of aPL [160], later recognized that anomalous effects were actually due to anti-FXII, leading to the discovery that anti-FXII is specifically associated with recurrent fetal loss [161].

Deficiency of FVIII is the hallmark of hemophilia A but efforts to correct it with FVIII concentrates are plagued by the rise of anti-FVIII in response. Of interest, the anti-FVIII is often associated with aPL/LA, as in the report of Nuss et al, confirming prior reports in finding that of 6 children with aFVIII, all had positive LA on at least one visit [162] (see later on LA). One may suspect that the reason for excluding aFVIII from lists of aPL is not because of definition of aPL, but is because it is associated with bleeding, not thrombosis.

Conclusion

This section has called attention to the large number of aPL now implicated in APS. It is likely that many more await identification. Second, it illustrates some inconsistencies among reports, discussed later. Third, it appears that the definition or concept of aPL has been guided by the putative association of aPL with thrombosis (APS). Although that is a legitimate concern in view of much evidence, we must not be blinded to the likelihood that some aPL may be involved with very different pathologies, such as MS or ITP, as discussed later.

Hypotheses for aPL-mediated thrombosis

Introduction

Many hypotheses purporting to explain why aPL are often associated with thrombosis or recurrent fetal loss have been tendered. Some were already indicated, such as interference with protein C system. This section briefly reviews other prominent hypotheses, as well as some which are less well known, such as anti-idiotype network dysregulation. Additional theories are considered in connection with LA, discussed later. Space limitations preclude discussion of details of mechanisms, which are found in the references.

Platelet and/or endothelial activation

Probably the most widely held hypothesis is that some aPL may activate cells to promote thrombosis. This was well articulated by Vermylen et al [17] and Arnout [139] who proposed a two-hit scenario: an initial weak or subclinical activation, such as of platelets, exposing sufficient anionic PL to favor binding of β₂GPI or anti-β₂GPI or other aPL, followed by full-blown thrombotic activation, possibly involving Fc receptors. Related hypotheses had been advanced [163-166]. Specific cross-reaction of aPL with platelet-specific antigens has been reported [167].

Many have proposed a central role for endothelial cells (EC) as targets of aPL [168-175]. There is little doubt that the endothelium is centrally involved in APS [176-178]. E-selectin (CD62E) may be a key player in EC activation [179,180]. Induction of tissue factor (TF) expression in EC by aPL binding could initiate thrombosis in APS [181,182].

Our group has reported that chronic platelet activation, not endothelial activation, distinguishes aPL+ subjects with history of thrombosis from those without such history, by two independent measures (p = 0.003, p = 0.001) [183].

Among the evidences cited by Arnout for initial small damage being amplified by aPL is that recurrence of APS tends to affect the same site or vasculature, suggesting that the site of initial injury is repeatedly targeted. The site of a pinch injury in mice becomes the site of thrombosis in an APS animal model [139].

Dueymes et al cites several models of aPL-EC interaction [184]. Many studies of anti-EC (aEC) independent of aPL have been published [185-188] but others have considered aEC in specific relation to aPL [189-193]. These reports suggest that there is no sharp demarcation between aPL and aEC or even anti-platelet Ab, since many PL-binding protein targets are shared by multiple hematopoietic cells, and the surface PL exposed are similar in the activated state. Heterogeneity of both aEC and aPL has been observed [194].

Role of complement (C)

The possible role of C in APS is often mentioned in passing, but a recent review gives more prominence to it [22], as has Shoenfeld [195]. Fischetti et al, working with an animal model of APS sensitized with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) gave persuasive support for a central role of C [196]. Munakata et al showed that C-fixing aCL are specifically associated with thrombotic events [197]. The role of C may be particularly important in APS with cerebral ischemia [198]. In general, IgM is more potent than IgG in fixing complement but this rule varies with subclass, IgG1 = IgG3 > IgG2 > IgG4, and seems to depend on the hinge region [199]. Thus, IgG subclass could be a determinant of thrombogenicity by C-fixing aPL.

Hinton suggested that aCL could be a secondary response to antigens exposed as a result of initial tissue injury [200]. Antibodies to mitochondria, which are rich in CL and are not normally exposed, were recently reported [201]. It was shown in the 1970s that exposure of heart mitochondria caused C activation [202,203]. Later, Kagiyama et al [204] demonstrated that heart mitochondrial molecules bind and fix C even in absence of IgG, although normal human plasma contains C-fixing antibodies that also react. A review of aPL in CAD notes a possible role of C and cites work by Davis and Brey suggesting a role of C in stroke [205]. To the extent that APS is C-dependent, the newly available C-inhibiting drugs may be more effective than anticoagulation alone.

Recurrent fetal loss (RFL) and complement

RFL is among the diagnostic criteria of APS. Close associations between RFL and specific aPL have been reported, some of which were mentioned earlier: aAnV [97,121,122], IgA aCL [206], aFXII [161], anti-mitochondria [201], aCD36 [207], anti-β₂GPI [208,209] and aCL or protein S deficiency [210]. Shoenfeld and colleagues exposed rat embryos and placental explants to IgG from women with RFL, and convincingly demonstrated adverse effects of CL-dependent anti-β₂GPI specifically [211]. Recently, Salmon and colleagues have made what appears a decisive advance [212]. Using IgG from women with RFL in a mouse model, they demonstrated an absolute requirement of C activation for RFL [212]. She concludes that RFL is an inflammatory condition and that C inhibitors may be the preferred therapy, pointing out that the efficacy of heparin in APS may rely on its C inhibitory action. Thus, it is possible that the unifying feature of the many aPL which have been linked to RFL is the propensity of a given aPL to fix and activate C, particularly in an inflammatory setting. Furthermore, C in conjunction with specific Ab can elicit a wide array of clinical features, and therefore may be a common denominator in aPL disorders.

Role of cell-derived microparticles (MP)

Zwaal et al suggested that circulating platelet-derived MP (PMP), which often express phosphatidylserine (PS), could be players in APS by binding β₂GPI or PT to expose cryptic epitopes for auto-Ab ("neo-autoantigens") [213]. That scenario implies that the platelets are already activated sufficiently to produce PMP, perhaps the first hit of a two-hit scenario. Nomura et al showed that some aPL bind to PMP [214], which is not unexpected since they express PS. Combes et al later reported on endothelial MP (EMP) associated with LA [215], and Dignat-George has further explored the relation of aPL to MP [216]. Vallar et al reported interaction of β₂GPI with PMP [217]. Our laboratory has extensively studied MP from various cell types and has reviewed PMP and EMP [218,219].

Some authors have been skeptical of the real importance of MP in thrombosis. However, following work by Hron et al [220] showing that plasma of patients at risk for thrombosis have increased thrombin generation, we demonstrated that the increased thrombin generation seen in those patients resides entirely in the MP fraction [221].

Dysregulation of anti-idiotype network

Cheng et al found that normal sera became positive for aCL after heating [222], and this has been repeatedly confirmed [223,224]. Matsuda et al [225] were unable to replicate results of Chen et al, but McIntyre et al showed that was caused by the presence of β₂GPI in the calf serum diluent [226], and proposed that all normal subjects have aPL but normally masked. Cabiedes et al did further investigations [227]. Kra-Oz et al showed that normal IgG when purified became aCL+ unless mixed back with normal sera [228]. Thus, regardless of explanation, it is clear that many aPL are naturally present but invisible to assays due to an inhibitor of some kind.

Natural Ab are those normally present and are not masked if the antigen is not normally present, as in the case of ABO blood group Abs and others, e.g. [229]. If the antigen is normally present, the natural autoAb is suppressed, either by circulating as an immune complex [230] or by an Ab against the natural Ab, called an anti-idiotype. The anti-nuclear Ab common in SLE and other autoimmune disorders are considered to be natural Ab regulated by anti-idiotypes [231]. The anti-idiotype is usually a polyspecific IgM [232,233]. However, a variety of interpretations exist.

Natural Ab are important in immune defense [234] and dysregulation of the normal anti-idiotype network could explain the emergence of positive aPL in pathological states. Stahl et al isolated warm-type autoAb causing autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) from plasma and RBC eluates of normal subjects, but the IgM pattern was different between controls and patients, leading them to propose that dysregulation of IgM anti-idiotypes causes the disease [235]. Relatedly, Cabiedes et al detected an aPC natural autoAb with hemolytic activity in normal subjects [230]. Moreau et al demonstrated that anti-FVIII is present in all normal subjects [236].

Pan et al showed that normal controls contain SLE-specific autoAbs which are normally masked [237]. In HIV, dysregulation of anti-idiotypes has been proposed for the aPL patterns seen [238]. Interestingly, SLE patients seem to be protected from HIV/AIDS because they can make an aCL which neutralizes the virus, deleted in normal subjects as autoreactive [46]. Shoenfeld et al has nicely reviewed the principles involved [231,239].

A leading hypothesis for the efficacy of intravenous (i.v.) IgG for APS and other autoimmune diseases is correction of disrupted anti-idiotype networks. Fischer et al, in an effort to explain the benefit of i.v. IgG for ITP, found anti-platelet Ab in the plasma fraction which bound to i.v. IgG and differed from normal controls, indicating a role of anti-idiotypes [240]. Yang et al gave evidence for enhancing Ab in ITP, namely, anti-idiotypes which bind the Fc portion of the anti-platelet Ab, and proposed this to account for the difficulty of detecting anti-platelet Ab in ITP [241]. Three ITP patients who were negative for anti-platelet antibodies became positive after treatment with protein A absorption, and the column eluate was also positive, suggesting that the column treatment caused separation from a masking anti-idiotype. Thus, mounting evidence suggests that dysregulation of natural Ab or anti-idiotype networks may be pivotal to the expression of aPL.

Other hypotheses

Several other theories have been advanced. McIntyre et al proposed a pivotal role for anti-kininogen aPL [31]. Yasuda et al have demonstrated that monoclonal aCL markedly inhibits fibrinolysis, as does IgG from APS patients, and proposed a cogent scenario in which impaired fibrinolysis is critical to thrombosis in APS [242]. Others have also implicated defective fibrinolysis, as recently reviewed [243].

Conclusion

Each of the theories for the putative prothrombotic action of aPL appears persuasive, and animal studies generally support them. However, as remarked in a review of theories based on anti-β₂GPI [22], it seems unlikely that they can all be right. It is ironic that APS was discovered largely by the aCL test but the clinical value of this test is now considered marginal, as is anti-β₂GPI [70,122]. Nevertheless, anti-β₂GPI remains the focus of efforts to understand thrombosis in APS. An alternative viewpoint, increasingly expressed, is inspired by the multiplicity of target antigens and clinical presentations: all of the theories may be right but each may apply only to a particular constellation of antibodies in a given patient. In this view, we are faced not with a single disorder, but with a broad spectrum of autoimmune conditions, not necessarily all thrombogenic.

Methodological pitfalls in aPL testing by ELISA techniques

Introduction

It is well recognized that conflicting reports are common in the literature on aPL detected by ELISA methods. Several examples were given in the foregoing survey of aPL antigens, such as the variable clinical significance of aPT assay depending on method [106]. Reported prevalence of aPL in ITP and MS range from negligible to nearly 90% positive. Reported correlations between a specific pathology and any given aPL frequently vary from insignificant to highly significant. A major cause of these discrepancies is variables in methods. Many reviews of aPL call attention to this problem [21,43,244], that of McIntyre et al being notably detailed [42]. A related problem is frequent failure to describe details of methods in published reports. The following comments bring attention to the most easily overlooked pitfalls. The conclusion to this section further explains why this topic is so important.

Plate plastic

Many conflicting reports on anti-β₂GPI were cleared up when it was discovered that β₂GPI binds in reactive conformation only to polystyrene ELISA plates that have been treated by gamma radiation [26,245,246]. This was the case also for aPT [105]. According to McIntyre [42], the organic solvents used to dissolve PL may also affect the binding properties. Some authors apply PL from an aqueous suspension of sonic-exposed PL [247]. Such details can spell the difference between positive and negative result, but are not always reported.

Source and handling of PL

McIntyre et al compared PE from 6 sources and found significant differences in assay results [42]; see also [248]. Several studies have shown that positivity for a particular protein cofactor can depend on whether it is present alone on the plate or in complex with PL. Thus, not only do results differ between β₂GPI alone vs. β₂GPI/CL, but PT alone on the plate showed no correlation with APS whereas the complex of PT/PS resulted in good correlation with APS (and LA) [106].

Donohoe et al explored variations of aPT methods and found conditions where aPT IgM, but not IgG, significantly associated with thrombosis [107]. Therefore, contrary to many judgments, aPT may indeed have real clinical significance, but only if assayed in certain ways. Atsumi et al [106] showed that the clinical relevance of aPT depends on the method of detection: the complex of aPT with PS (aPT/PS) was associated with thrombosis but aPT itself was not.

Drying of the PL should be done under nitrogen but often is dried in air. McIntyre showed that air causes rapid oxidation of CL to OxCL, and that PS is also prone to oxidation, converting to lyso-PS. Thus, many or most aCL assays actually measure aOxCL, not aCL. Some kits sold as PE in fact provide lyso-PE [42]. Oxidation of protein antigen on the plate can also affect results [85]. The use of PL mixtures, intended to save time by detecting more antibodies in a single test [249] effectively dilutes the amount of each present, reducing sensitivity [42]. Arvieux found that oxidation of β₂GPI caused either enhanced or decreased binding to Ig: 10 of 20 patients enhanced, 10 decreased [85].

Blocking, washing, dilution

Blockers and diluents include gelatin, non-fat milk, polyethylene glycol (PEG), bovine serum albumin (BSA), fetal calf serum (FCS), etc., at various concentrations and pH, with or without EDTA, detergent, and so on. Kilpatrick compared PEG, BSA and FCS, as well as heat inactivation of FCS and the effect of solvents [250]. One study of inter-lab variability listed some of these different practices [251] but clear conclusions could not be reached owing to the many variables.

Ming and Fan showed that the neutral detergent, Tween 20, which was, and still is, widely used in ELISA for aPL to minimize non-specific binding, markedly enhanced the sensitivity of aCL assay [252]. Cabral et al, for reasons they could not explain, were unable to replicate that result, finding the contrary, that Tween 20 reduced or eliminated detection of aCL, and urged against it [253]. However, close reading shows that Ming and Fan used Tween only as a diluent whereas Cabral et al used it to wash the dried CL three times, probably dissolving most of the CL. Another report found the effect of Tween 20 useful for distinguishing aCL that is dependent vs. independent of β₂GPI [254]. Tween is commonly used at concentrations over a ten-fold range (0.01% to 0.1%), e.g. [251].

Heat inactivation; temperature

Heat inactivation of the serum caused a drop in apparent aCL titer [250,255]. Most assays are run at room temperature but some use 37°C. It has been shown that temperature markedly affects binding of IgG vs. IgM [256]. Heating can inactivate some complement components and, as earlier mentioned, can unmask some natural antibodies.

Calcium

Many PL-binding proteins require Ca²⁺ to bind, yet Ca²⁺ is rarely present in assays. It has been shown that Ca²⁺ is an absolute requirement for assay of aPT [105] but methods vary. Of two aFVII purified from a patient, one depended on Ca²⁺, the other did not [257]. β₂GPI binds to PL in a calcium-dependent fashion despite absence of gla domains [217], but another study found that Ca²⁺ (2 mM) reduced binding to platelet microparticles [217]. Conversely, use of EDTA could affect results by extracting endogenous Ca²⁺, thereby affecting epitope conformation of some proteins.

Serum vs plasma

Plasma contains many coagulation factors and other agents while serum does not, and conversely, serum contains Ca²⁺ and active proteolytic enzymes. Therefore, results could differ, depending on the agent tested for. Wong et al found no difference between plasma and serum for anti-β₂GPI/CL [258] (and pointed out a common error in statistics). We recently demonstrated gross differences in assay of CD40L in plasma vs. serum [259], leading to suspicion of similar effects for at least some aPL. Freeze-thaw cycles of the sample may also affect status of protein-lipid complexes, free proteins, immune complex, or aggregated IgG.

Calculations: lesson from IgA

Results can differ depending on the cutoff defining a positive test, e.g. 1, 2, or 3 SD above normal mean, or more (4 SD [123], 6 SD [125]). The definition of blank to be subtracted can be even more important, as illustrated by some reports on IgA aPL. A large study found only 2 IgA+ aCL among 795 patients [260]. Close reading, however, reveals that they blocked the CL-coated plates with FCS and then subtracted the result with FCS alone (no CL), calling this "non-specific binding" (NSB), proposed as an important refinement. But the data showed that NSB varied widely, which is unexpected for true NSB, leading to the more likely conclusion that many of the sera were reacting to a component of the FCS. In contrast, Baleva et al in the following year [206] found significant IgA aCL in several patient groups, and in some groups, more IgA than IgG. Indeed, the authors note that IgA was the only Ig detected in 8 cases, and cite references compatible with their findings. A study of aPL in diabetes found that IgA aPL reacting to PE was more frequent than IgG or IgM [261]. Thus, one may question the conclusion, widely repeated, that IgA testing is not useful.

Conclusion

Methodological differences almost certainly accounts for the majority of conflicting reports. This is important because deciding the clinical value of a given test, such as aCL or anti-β₂GPI, depends on which reports are believed. Careful study of methods may reveal the explanation for discrepancies. For the same reason, one must be suspicious of meta-analyses which, in effect, average together a large number of reports, thereby nullifying those which are favorable. Galli et al acknowledge this point in the concluding sentence of their abstract [244], and others have commented similarly [262,263]. To address this problem, many workshops aimed at standardizing methods have been held [251,264,265], as recently discussed [266]. Standard methods are clearly mandatory for clinical testing, although problems have persisted [248,267]. However, this could be counter-productive since variant methods may give more favorable results for a particular antigen or clinical condition. For research purposes, important discoveries could critically depend on variant methods, as illustrated by some of the examples cited. Future technology may enable dozens of assays per patient, easily and cheaply, by robotic arrays.

The lupus anticoagulant (LA)

Background: The LA paradox

As its name implies, the LA acts in vitro like an anticoagulant, prolonging the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) or other tests specifically designed to detect it. According to a 1961 review [268], this effect was first reported in 1946 in a patient with ITP [269]. Its frequent association with SLE was reported in a series of papers by Conley and colleagues from 1948 [270] to 1952 [2]. Both papers cited describe LA in the setting of hemorrhagic diatheses, as expected of an anticoagulant. The latter is usually cited as the origin of the LA test, although the name, LA, was not coined until 1972.

However, Bowie et al in 1963 described four cases of SLE with thrombosis despite presence of LA [271]. This was the first clear statement of the paradox: why should thrombosis occur in the presence of an anticoagulant? Efforts to answer this persist to the present.

Subsequently, a growing number of reports through the 1970s found association of LA with thrombosis at greater frequency than hemorrhage, culminating with recognition of the aPL syndrome (APS) in the mid-1980s, as earlier referenced [3-5,272].

Principles of LA testing

Although the LA is widely spoken of as an aPL, it must be stressed that LA is not defined by any specific antibody or other known agent, but only by its effect in an LA assay. In its simplest early form, the LA assay was the recalcification time (recal time) of platelet-poor plasma (PPP), together with the "platelet neutralization test" (PNT) for confirmation [268]. Briefly, one adds sufficient calcium to overcome the citrate in the PPP and observes if the time to coagulation is abnormally long, indicating LA+, provided that in addition, the prolongation is reduced by the PNT (originally, addition of platelets or platelet membranes). This was interpreted to mean that some factor in the plasma, called the LA, was acting to block sites on the phospholipids (PL) essential for coagulation, suggesting that aPL is that factor. The rationality of the PNT is that an excess of PL overwhelms the ability of the LA to block enough sites to prolong the time. A variety of LA tests are now in use, beyond the scope of this review, but all are similar in principle.

LA associates best with thrombosis

Among the first persuasive reports of a strong association between LA and thrombosis was the retrospective analysis of Mueh at al in 1980 [273]. Following recognition of the syndrome, APS, it became common to test LA in parallel with solid-phase ELISA of aPL, leading to several reports showing that LA has a stronger association with thrombosis than aPL measured by ELISA, notably by Derkens et al in 1988 [274], later confirmed repeatedly [6,275-277], explicitly stated by Horbach et al in 1996 [278] and by Arnout in 2001 [11] and, if further confirmation was needed, in a meta-analysis by Galli in 2003 [244]. Indeed, several studies found that thrombosis associated closely with LA but poorly or not at all with aPL by ELISA, e.g. [276,277].

Thus, it is firmly established that the association of LA+ assay with thrombophilic states is much stronger than ELISA of aPL such as aCL, anti-β₂GPI, or other. Furthermore, this association is robust with respect to variant methods. However, if it is true that LA is an aPL, we are faced with the problem of explaining why LA correlates so much better with thrombosis than aPL measured by ELISA.

What is the LA? Why thrombogenic?

As explained by Triplett [7], early results of Harris et al [3] suggested to them that LA and aCL were one and the same entity. This was later shown to be incorrect since the two were clearly separable. Nevertheless, the assumption continued that LA is a manifestation of aPL, to the point where LA is spoken of almost as a synonym for aPL, or as a particular type of aPL [279]. Indeed, Triplett has stated that LA is an aPL, by definition [7].

As detailed in several reviews, such as by Arnout [11], it has been shown that at least some LA are in fact expressions of anti-β₂GPI. Roubey et al showed that LA plasma added to normal plasma prolonged coagulation but not if the plasma was first depleted of β₂GPI [279]. Around the same time, Arvieux showed that mouse antibodies against β₂GPI had LA-like activity [280]. Arnout made a series of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against β₂GPI and found that only 7 of 21 mAb had LA activity, variable in degree, one being very strong [28,281]. This suggested that the epitope targeted was critical for LA activity.

According to Arnout [11], the now accepted explanation for the LA activity of anti-β₂GPI was developed by three groups, Willems at al in 1996 [282]), Takeya et al in 1997 [283], and Arnout et al in 1998 [28]. The essence of it is that only those anti-β₂GPI which can bind two molecules of β₂GPI (divalently) in the soluble phase cause enhanced binding to PL and exhibit LA activity [11]. However, not all LA depend on β₂GPI.

In the same timeframe, others had shown that aPT can also exert LA activity, notably Bevers et al and Galli et al in 1992 [284], Oosting et al in 1993 [72], and Permpikul et al in 1994 [285], as referenced [7,11]. A method was devised to discriminate between LA that depended on PT from LA that depended on β₂GPI [286]. The explanation given for why some but not all aPT exhibit LA activity is similar to that given for anti-β₂GPI. This explanation does not, however, directly account for thrombosis, except by way of the hypotheses listed above for aPL in general.

Field et al [287,288] in their introduction give references to about five different theories for LA but dismiss them all as unconvincing, and then supply evidence for a novel explanation of their own: IgG from LA plasma inhibits thrombin generation only under static conditions, whereas under the shearing conditions of natural blood flow, LA promotes thrombin generation. In that scenario, the LA effect is an in vitro artifact.

Several workers have proposed anti-annexin V (aAnV) as the agent of LA, with direct bearing on thrombosis. Matsuda et al found that aAnV was common in SLE patients (positive in 12 of 47) and associated strongly with LA activity [123]; for commentary, see [124]. The LA activity of aAnV was further explored by Nakamura et al the next year [90]. It is possible that aAnV may also bear on the antagonism between annexins and phospholipase A₂ (PLA2) [126].

In a series of papers, Rand et al has proposed to resolve the LA paradox on the basis of competition between aPL and the natural anticoagulant function of AnV [289-291]. They showed that aPL IgG inhibits the anticoagulant effect of exogenously added AnV. However, the strong action of added AnV is contrary to the hypothesis that AnV is naturally present in plasma in significant amounts. Although AnV exhibits an effect on coagulation indistinguishable from LA [112], it has not been shown to play a significant role as a natural anticoagulant, except perhaps in pregnancy.

Most reviewers now accept the existence of multiple LA, not necessarily limited to anti-β₂GPI, aPT and/or aAnV. For example, anti-FVIII behaves like LA [292]. A study of LA+ patients found that all of them reacted to at least one pure PL, and 95% were positive for aPE [146]. The specific antigen(s) was not identified. We have speculated that TFPI (the inhibitor of tissue factor) could exhibit LA activity, since it prolongs coagulation, could be neutralized by excess PL, and in at least some circumstances, is elevated in thrombophilic state [293]. Thus, quite different explanations are conceivable.

Conclusion

Although it has been clearly shown that some aPL exhibit LA activity, and have pathological effects in animal models, the specific identity of the LA relevant to thrombosis is unknown in many cases. Moreover, why LA associates so much better with thrombosis compared to aPL test by ELISA remains an open question. As deLaat et al wrote in 2007, the association of LA with thrombosis is "for yet unknown reasons" [291].

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in non-APS, non-SLE disorders

It has long been recognized that aPL occur at high frequency in many disorders other than APS and SLE, especially those known to be immune-mediated, such as immune thrombocytopenic purport (ITP), multiple sclerosis (MS), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the significance of aPL in these disorders has been generally dismissed as non-specific or epiphenomenal, partly because the aPL did not appear to be related to symptoms, and perhaps also because aPL in these disorders is inconsistent with the paradigm that the pathological significance of aPL is limited to thrombosis. This review was motivated in part by recent findings which indicate that aPL are in fact associated with symptoms in non-APS, non-SLE disorders in humans.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

MS is an inflammatory disorder believed to be autoimmune in etiology, and can present with features resembling APS [294-297]. Several reviews of the neurological symptoms of APS/SLE are available [298-300], and many case reports, e.g., cerebral ischemia [301]. However, MS is not thought to involve ischemia, although elements of the coagulation cascade are present in MS lesions, including fibrinogen and recently, tissue factor and protein C inhibitor [302].

In 2000, our collaborative investigation demonstrated elevated endothelial microparticles (EMP) during exacerbations of MS [303,304]. Those findings motivated further investigations, this time of aPL in MS, with the hypothesis that aPL might be involved in endothelial activation in MS. Several prior reports had established that aPL commonly occur in MS, but in most of them the patient population was heterogeneous or inadequately defined, and there was no indication of a relation between aPL and the pathophysiology of MS.

To examine the relationship more closely, we tested samples of well-defined, treatment-naive MS patients in either exacerbation or remission, documented by neurological as well as brain MRI with and without contrast. The central finding was that all aPL measured were significantly elevated in acute phases vs. remission, and correlated strongly with MRI imaging, p = 0.002 [136]. The antigens tested included β₂GPI, FVII, and four pure PL (CL, PC, PS, PE). Of interest, aFVII was never detected in remission but was present in 60% of acute MS; and anti-β₂GPI was positive in 80% of acute MS. It is possible that unidentified and possibly MS-specific auto antibodies were also present, judging by the strong reaction to the pure PL in acute, but not remission, cases. Unexpectedly, aPL in MS were exclusively of IgM class, with no IgG detected.

Because that work showed a direct relation between aPL and clinical state in MS, it is plausible to suspect that aPL may be involved in the pathogenesis of MS. Of course, the possibility exists that aPL in acute MS are epiphenomenal; but the same argument could be levelled against the hypothesis that aPL cause thrombosis. In further support, Shoenfeld and colleagues clearly demonstrated neuropathological effects of aPL in animal models [305-307].

Since some aPL have been identified with anti-endothelial (anti-EC) antibodies (earlier cited), and since our group [303] and others have documented endothelial activation in MS, it is relevant to note that anti-EC have been detected in MS and were proposed to contribute to its pathogenesis. In 1989, Tsukada et al. found anti-EC in 75% of active MS but in only 4% of remission [308]. However, a 1992 report found only 13% positive [309] and a later report found only 10% reactive to human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC) [310]. On the other hand, another report around the same time, but using brain microvascular EC rather than HUVEC, found that 12/16 active vs 0/15 inactive MS reacted to EC [311]. This suggests that anti-EC in MS are specific for brain microvessels, and would be consistent with the fact that CNS lesions in MS tend to develop around brain microvessels (Dawson fingers) [312]. Thus, brain-specific anti-EC could be a pivotal pathogenic mechanism of aPL in MS.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

As with MS, it was long known that aPL commonly occur in ITP, but no one had related their presence to clinical state (low platelets, bleeding), therefore their presence was dismissed as inconsequential. Y.S. Ahn, a specialist in ITP, had drawn attention to cerebral ischemia sometimes associated with ITP, particularly in splenectomized patients, leading to vascular dementia [313].

To investigate if aPL might be involved, we studied series of patients stratified by clinical state (acute, chronic, remission) and demonstrated, for the first time, a clear association between elevated aPL and onset of acute symptoms [314]. Sequential study of six cases confirmed the general conclusion, that aPL rise with exacerbations and decline or disappear in remission of ITP. Unexpectedly, however, no relation was detected between aPL/LA and those patients with ITP-associated cerebral ischemia.

In a follow-up study, Bidot and colleagues [315] compared aPL patterns in APS vs. active ITP (remission excluded). One notable difference was that LA was absent in all ITP patients but was present in 24/33 (79%) of APS. This supports the unique significance of LA in thrombosis. IgG anti-β₂GPI was >3-fold more common in APS than ITP, but positive reaction to the pure PL (CL, PC, PS, PE) was more common in ITP, p < 0.05. This need not imply that aPL in ITP are mainly of the so-called non-pathogenic type, since it is possible that the pure PL are reacting to unidentified antigens in the plasma, as they would to platelet membranes.

Since CD36 is often found in association with aPL, it is apropos to mention our findings on CD36 in ITP. On platelets, this antigen is known as glycoprotein IV (GpIV), and was of interest to us in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) [316] and other thrombosis [317]. More recently, we found that aCD36 (and some other anti-platelet autoantibodies) is more commonly elevated in ITP patients with bleeding symptoms than in comparable patients without bleeding (unpublished), unexpected since aCD36 is usually associated with thrombosis, as earlier mentioned.

HIV/AIDS

A viral cause of APS has been proposed [318]. HIV infection carries a high frequency of aPL [34,319] but here, too, the aPL in HIV were considered to be of the infection-related type and non-pathogenic. Haynes et al [46] point out that anti-HIV antibodies mounted by most patients fail to neutralize the virus, but a rare few do mount neutralizing responses, and those studied turned out to be polyspecific aCL, similar to the aPL profile seen in lupus (SLE). Indeed, they cite references indicating that SLE patients appear to be protected against contracting HIV, and argue that the general population fails to make such aPL because they have been deleted from the repertoire as self-reactive. In support of their contention, one of the neutralizing anti-HIV they studied was autoreactive with dsDNA, centromere B, histones and other self targets [46]. Relatedly, Zhang et al [320] investigated why most people fail to mount effective immune responses to HIV envelope proteins (Env), and suggested that Env suppresses CD40L expression, which in turn blunts the T cell ability to activate DCs. However, we feel that findings of Zhang et al [320] are consistent with the scenario given by Haynes et al [46]. Specifically, the aPL seen in the context of HIV and other infections may be more than epiphenomena and could offer important clues to immune function.

Conclusion

The thrust of this review has been to highlight some of the uncertainties and challenges in the field. To begin with, the proliferation of target antigens over the last 20 years has greatly broadened the classical concept of "aPL," and calls into question the definition of aPL. The strength of the association of aPL (measured by ELISA) with thrombosis has been questioned, but this depends on which reports are believed. On the other hand, there is no doubting the close association of LA with thrombosis; but exactly why this is true remains unsettled. Finally, new evidence is presented indicating that aPL may be involved with the pathogenesis of other disorders, notably MS and ITP, as distinct from the role of aPL exclusively in thrombosis.

The picture now emerging is that aPL are part of a large spectrum of autoantibodies, including, for example, those of ITP, and that APS is just one manifestation of a particular constellation of aPL. We may be better served by abandoning the concept that aPL are exclusively thrombogenic.

In regard to the cause of aPL-associated pathologies, a promising hypothesis is dysregulation of anti-idiotype networks. Many of the consequences appear to be best explained in terms of complement-mediated effects. However, full understanding of the aPL phenomenon remains a challenge for the future.

Competing interests

The authors declare thtat they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

LLH, WJ, YSA, REK, CJB, AHM, RZ, ME, AHM, SAM, and AM performed extensive literature research, prepared the manuscript and provide expertise in interpretation of data obtained from several sources. REK, RZ, AHM, SAM, AM, and ME reviewed the manuscript extensively and provided constructive comments to improve the quality of the manuscript.

CB performed the actual aPL assays, was first author of key papers cited, and commented helpfully on versions of the manuscript.

LLH, WJ, YSA, REK, RZ, and AM provided clinical expertise in various fields of neuroinflammation and improved the quality of the original manuscript.

All authors worked as team members to generate this extensive review.