University of Tasmania, Australia

Honours

Additional Information

The effect of anti-B2GP1 antibodies on platelet function

Anti-Beta-2-glycoprotein-1 (anti-B2GP1) antibodies are a type of antiphospholipid antibody (APA) frequently found in the blood of patients with autoimmune diseases such as the antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus.  They are thought to contribute to hypercoagulability and an increased risk of thrombosis (blood clots) in these patients, although precise mechanisms have yet to be established.  There are varying reports in the literature on the effect(s) of anti -B2GP1 antibodies on platelet activation and function using a variety of methods, although there is greater evidence to suggest that these antibodies contribute to platelet activation.  Recent work in the School of Human Life Sciences however, has demonstrated that commercially available anti-B2GP1 antibodies instead inhibit platelet aggregation, which would imply an anticoagulant rather than procoagulant effect.  Furthermore, the inhibition of platelet aggregation appears to be due to impedence of the secondary release reaction of platelets.

The overall aim of this project  is to further investigate the effects of anti-B2GP1 antibodies on platelet function.