Investigation of a platelet factor 4 polymorphism on the immune response in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

A small fraction of patients who receive heparin develop heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and, of these patients, a still smaller proportion develop associated thrombotic complications. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is caused by the formation of antibodies that bind to specific complexes of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Platelets (Edinburgh) 2000-02, Vol.11 (1), p.23-27
Main Author: Kelton, Peter Horsewood, John G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Heparin - adverse effects
Humans
Immune System
Platelet Factor 4 - genetics
Platelet Factor 4 - immunology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Polymorphism, Genetic - immunology
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Serotonin
Thrombocytopenia - chemically induced
Thrombocytopenia - diagnosis
Thrombocytopenia - genetics
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Summary:A small fraction of patients who receive heparin develop heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and, of these patients, a still smaller proportion develop associated thrombotic complications. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is caused by the formation of antibodies that bind to specific complexes of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin. However, it remains uncertain why certain patients form these antibodies and develop HIT or why certain patients have thrombotic events. In this report we describe studies on individuals with and without HIT to determined if a potential PF4 polymorphism could explain differences in susceptibility to HIT. In the 10 control individuals and the 10 patients we studied, we did not find a difference in the PF4 sequences. Genetic difference in the PF4 antigenic target does not explain the occurrence of HIT in susceptible patients.
ISSN:0953-7104
1369-1635
DOI:10.1080/09537100075751