Lupus anticoagulant (also known as lupus antibody, LA, or lupus inhibitors) is an immunoglobulin that binds to phospholipids and proteins associated with the cell membrane. It is important to note that this disease name is actually a misnomer. Lupus anticoagulant is actually a prothrombotic agent; that is, presence of Lupus anticoagulant antibodies precipitates the formation of thrombi in vivo. Their name derives from their properties in vitro, since in laboratory tests, presence of these antibodies causes an increase in aPTT. It is speculated that the presence of the antibodies interferes with phospholipids utilized to induce in vitro coagulation.
In vivo, it is thought to interact with platelet membrane phospholipids, increasing adhesion and aggregation of platelets; thus its in vivo prothrombotic characteristics.
Read more about Lupus Anticoagulant: Terminology, Workup, Treatment
Famous quotes containing the word lupus:
“Regna regnis lupi, The State is a wolf unto the State. It is not a pessimistic lamentation like the old homo homini lupus [Man is a wolf to Man], but a positive creed and political ideal.”
—Johan Huizinga (1872–1945)