Resistance to annexin A5 anticoagulant activity

a thrombogenic mechanism for the antiphospholipid syndrome

Rand, JH
Wu, XX
Quinn, AS
Taatjes, DJ

Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA [email protected]
Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
Department of Pathology and Microscopy Imaging Center, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
Department of Pathology and Microscopy Imaging Center, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA

Lupus 17(10):p 922-930, October 2008. | DOI: 10.1177/0961203308095029

The phospholipid binding protein, annexin A5 (AnxA5), has potent anticoagulant properties that result from its forming 2-dimensional crystals over phospholipids, blocking the availability of the phospholipids for critical coagulation enzyme reactions. This article reviews the evidence that antiphospholipid antibodies can disrupt this anticoagulant shield and unmask thrombogenic anionic phospholipids, which may thereby contribute to thrombosis in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This mechanism for thrombosis in APS can be monitored with coagulation assays for resistance to anticoagulant activity of AnxA5.