Title | Insights into the pathophysiology of the antiphospholipid syndrome provided by atomic force microscopy. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2012 |
Authors | Quinn AS, Wu X-X, Rand JH, Taatjes DJ |
Journal | Micron |
Volume | 43 |
Issue | 8 |
Pagination | 851-62 |
Date Published | 2012 Aug |
ISSN | 1878-4291 |
Keywords | Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Humans, Microscopy, Atomic Force, Thrombosis |
Abstract | The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an enigmatic autoimmune disorder in which patients present with thrombosis and/or recurrent pregnancy losses together with laboratory evidence for the presence of autoantibodies in the blood that recognize proteins that bind to anionic phospholipids - the most important of which is β(2)-glycoprotein I (β(2)GPI). Earlier, we hypothesized that the clinical manifestations arise from antibody-induced disruption of a two-dimensional anticoagulant crystal shield, composed of annexin A5, present on placental trophoblast plasma membranes. Accordingly, we reasoned that a high resolution imaging technology, such as atomic force microscopy could be used to investigate such molecular interactions at high resolution in a non-fixed hydrated environment. This review will focus on the contribution of this technique to the elucidation of the mechanism of APS. |
DOI | 10.1016/j.micron.2012.03.010 |
Alternate Journal | Micron |
PubMed ID | 22483857 |
Grant List | HL-61331 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States |
Related Faculty:
Jacob H. Rand, M.D.