Pregnancy complications of the antiphospholipid syndrome

Autoimmunity
Angela TincaniP L Meroni

Abstract

Starting from their first description, antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) were associated with repeated miscarriages and fetal losses. Other complications of pregnancy like preterm birth,with pre-eclampsia or severe placental insufficiency were also frequently reported and are included in the current classification criteria of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The titre, the isotype of the antibodies or their antigen specificity may be important in the risk level determination. Some of the difference in the reported results can be explained by the poor standardization achieved in aPL testing or by the not univocal classification of pregnancy complications. The pathogenesis of pregnancy failures is linked to the thrombophilic effect of aPL but also to different mechanisms including a direct effect of antibodies on the throphoblast differentiation and invasion. The study of experimental animal models provided sound evidence of the pathogenic role of aPL both in lupus prone and naive mice. The definition of APS as a condition linked to high obstetric risk and the application of an effective therapy have completely changed the prognosis of pregnancy in these patients. In fact, despite the high number of complications and preterm ...Continue Reading

Citations

Oct 16, 2004·Lupus·P L MeroniA Caruso
Jan 5, 2008·Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology·Pier Luigi MeroniMaria O Borghi
Jan 28, 2009·Current Rheumatology Reports·Angela TincaniMario Motta
Apr 4, 2007·The Journal of Immunology : Official Journal of the American Association of Immunologists·Xiao-Xiang ChenCheng-De Yang
Feb 1, 2008·Reproductive Medicine and Biology·Aiko Makino, Mayumi Sugiura-Ogasawara
Jul 21, 2006·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Angela TincaniDavid Faden
Nov 1, 2011·Auto- Immunity Highlights·Rohan Willis, Silvia S Pierangeli
Mar 13, 2015·Current Rheumatology Reports·Rohan WillisA R Brasier
Jun 11, 2005·Stroke; a Journal of Cerebral Circulation·Maurizio TurielAndrea Doria

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Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS or APLS), is an autoimmune, hypercoagulable state caused by the presence of antibodies directed against phospholipids.