Lupus anticoagulant

Lupus anticoagulant
Other namesLupus antibody, LA, LAC, lupus inhibitors

Lupus anticoagulant is an immunoglobulin[1] that binds to phospholipids and proteins associated with the cell membrane. Its name is a partial misnomer, as it is actually a prothrombotic antibody in vivo. The name derives from their properties in vitro, as these antibodies increase coagulation times in laboratory tests such as the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Investigators speculate that the antibodies interfere with phospholipids used to induce in vitro coagulation. In vivo, the antibodies are thought to interact with platelet membrane phospholipids, increasing adhesion and aggregation of platelets, which accounts for the in vivo prothrombotic characteristics.[2]

The condition was first described by hematologist C. Lockard Conley in 1952.[3][4]

  1. ^ Antonia Joussen; T.W. Gardner; B. Kirchhof (2007). "21.3.1 Antiphospholipid Antibodies: Lupus Anticoagulant and Anticardiolipin Antibodies". Retinal Vascular Disease. Springer. pp. 430–. ISBN 978-3-540-29541-9. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  2. ^ Tohidi-Esfahani I, Mittal P, Isenberg D, Cohen H, Efthymiou M (January 2024). "Platelets and Thrombotic Antiphospholipid Syndrome". J Clin Med. 13 (3): 741. doi:10.3390/jcm13030741. PMC 10856779. PMID 38337435.
  3. ^ Conley, C. Lockard (1952). "A hemorrhagic disorder caused by circulating anticoagulant in patients with disseminated lupus erythematosus". Journal of Clinical Investigation. 31 (6): 621–2. doi:10.1172/JCI102648. PMC 436459. PMID 14938435.
  4. ^ "Lock Conley looks back and blushes". Hopkins Medicine. Spring–Summer 2006. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2013.