VACCINE

Current Atherosclerosis Reports • July 2001
Antiphospholipid syndrome,
antiphospholipid antibodies,
and atherosclerosis
Author information
Sherer Y1, Shoenfeld Y.
Department of Medicine ‘B’
Sheba Medical Center
Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel
Abstract
The antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by arterial and venous
thrombosis, as well as pregnancy morbidity, in the presence of
elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies. These autoantibodies
have procoagulant activity, as they affect platelets, humoral coagulation
factors, and endothelial cells. In addition, they are proatherogenic,
as demonstrated by animal models and by the increased prevalence of
cardiovascular diseases in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
and antiphospholipid syndrome. Moreover, antiphospholipid antibodies,
including anticardiolipin, anti-b2-glycoprotein-I, and anti-oxidized
low-density lipoprotein, are associated with atherosclerosis and
its consequences in the general population as well. This autoimmune
aspect of atherosclerosis in the presence or absence of an autoimmune
disease suggests benefit from development of immunomodulating
therapies.
“The antiphospholipid syndrome
is characterized by arterial and
venous thrombosis, as well as
pregnancy morbidity, in the presence
of elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=11389799