Antibodies against platelet GPIb/IX, GPIIb/IIIa, and other platelet antigens in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

• Antibodies involved in the pathogenesis of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) react most frequently with platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX and GPIIb/IIIa. However, uncertainty as to the specificity, frequency, and clinical significance of such antibodies still remains. By using a modified antigen-capture ELISA (MACE), an immunoprecipitation assay, and an immunoblot assay, sera from 60 patients with chronic ITP were analyzed. GP-specific antibodies were found in 50% (30/60) of the patients, with 14 patients having antibodies directed solely to GPIIb/IIIa, 8 holding antibodies specific only for GPIb/IX, and 8 possessing antibodies against both antigens. Serum antibodies were more frequently (p < 0.01) detected in either active and/or non-splenectomized ITP patients. Moreover, in patients displaying antibodies against GPIb/IX, significantly (p < 0.05) lower platelet counts were observed. Using the immunoblot assay, antibodies specific for a 30 kD platelet antigen were detected in 12 of 60 patients. This antigen could not be immunoprecipitated from surface labelled platelet membranes, indicating an intracellular location. We conclude that in chronic ITP, (1) the frequency of anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibodies is close to that of anti-GPIb/IX antibodies, (2) anti-GP antibodies are more likely to be detected in patients with an active disease status and, (3) a 30 kD internal platelet protein is another frequent antigen.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adult

Aged

Autoantibodies

immunology

Autoantigens

chemistry

Blood Platelets

immunology

Blotting

Western

Chronic Disease

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Female

Humans

Immunoglobulin G

immunology

Male

Middle Aged

Molecular Weight

Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins

immunology

Precipitin Tests

Purpura

Thrombocytopenic

Idiopathic

immunology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)