Forty-three laboratories in 13 countries participated in a workshop to determine the degree of agreement between laboratories performing anticardiolipin tests. Each laboratory received freeze-dried aliquots of three samples labeled G1 (107 GPL units), G2 (20 GPL units), and G3 (6 GPL units) to be used as reference standards in the IgG assay, and three samples labeled M1 (106 MPL units), M2 (21 MPL units), and M3 (5 MPL units) as references for the IgM assay. Participating laboratories were divided into 8 groups and serum samples were exchanged between laboratories in each group. For IgG anticardiolipin, results were reported as: high, IgG positive for samples with optical absorbance readings exceeding G1; medium, IgG positive for samples with readings between G1 and G2; low, IgG positive between G2 and G3, and negative, if less than G3. In like manner, samples were defined as high-, medium-, or low-IgM positive, with reference to standards M1, M2, and M3. An index of agreement was computed to determine the degree of agreement between laboratories in each group. Interlaboratory agreement was excellent in each category assessed. For high positive and negative IgG and IgM results, the index of agreement exceeded 90%, and for medium and low positive results, agreement exceeded 75%. The overall index of agreement between laboratories exceeded 90%. The researchers conclude that the use of these six standards to obtain a semiquantitative measure of anticardiolipin positivity will enable good interlaboratory agreement in reporting anticardiolipin results.
SummaryHigh levels of IgG antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) have been associated with clinical thrombosis. It is uncertain however whether these antibodies play a direct role in thrombosis or are merely epiphenomena. To investigate whether antiphospholipid antibodies might play a role in thrombosis, we utilized a novel mouse model in which the dynamics of in vivo thrombosis can be studied. CD1 mice (26-30 g) were passively immunized with 25 mg of human IgG from a patient with the Antiphospholipid Syndrome (IgG-APS) (n = 17), IgG from normal pooled sera (TgG-NHS) (n = 9). or saline solution (n = 17), followed by 40 mg of the same preparations at 48 h. At 72 h, levels of human aPL antibodies, detected using the anticardiolipin ELISA test (aCL ELISA test), in mice immunized with IgG-APS, were 50-100 GPL units. Each animal was anesthetized, femoral vein minimally mobilized and subjected to a standardized “pinch” injury to induce thrombosis. The vessel was transilluminated using acrylic optical fibers connected to a light source, and clot formation and dissolution were visualized by a standard surgical microscope equipped with a video camera, video recorder, and computer assisted analysis system. Results showed that average clot size was significantly larger in mice immunized with IgG-APS compared to those treated with saline (p <0.037). In addition, the thrombus persisted longer in a significantly higher number of mice immunized with IgG-APS (10/17) compared to mice immunized with IgG-NHS (1/9) or saline (2/12) (p <0.02). These data suggest that IgG-APS may play a role in thrombus formation in humans. In addition, this study shows the feasibility of using this in vivo murine thrombus model for study of the effects of aPL antibodies.
The mouse model described in this study offers a unique method of determining the characteristics and mechanism(s) of action of aCL antibodies in thrombosis in vivo. In addition, this animal model enables the study of the kinetics of formation and dissolution of thrombus, as well as clot area, to be studied in a dynamic fashion. Other models for evaluation of thrombus formation rely on measurements of thrombus size and weight in ligated vessel segments where flow may be interrupted artificially. In addition, two important findings can be extracted from the study. (1) The size of the thrombi were significantly larger in mice that were passively immunized with IgG-APS (four patient samples examined) and with IgM-APS (two patient samples examined) compared with mice injected with saline or with immunoglobulin from control patients. (2) The clot persisted significantly for longer periods of time (total time) in animals injected with IgG-APS or IgM-APS when compared with control animals. Based on in vitro experiments, it is possible that these antibodies may inhibit protein C activation, neutralize the inhibitory activity action of beta 2 glycoprotein I (beta 2GPI), or activate platelets at the site of the femoral vein injury. Because this model enables to study the dynamics of thrombus formation, it is possible that these hypotheses and other mechanisms by which aPL antibodies are thrombogenic be investigated. Future studies will also include the effects of different levels of antibodies, as well as effects of affinity purified and monoclonal aPL antibodies on thrombus formation.
An anticardiolipin wet workshop was conducted at the Fifth International Antiphospholipid Symposium (San Antonio, Texas, September 9-12, 1992). The workshop had four objectives: 1. to determine variability in measurement of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM, and IgA anticardiolipin of eight unknown sera; 2. to examine the correlation between three commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and the Antiphospholipid Standardization Laboratory; 3. to examine protocols by which anticardiolipin binding to phospholipid antigens and beta 2 glycoprotein 1 (beta 2GP1) might be compared; and 4. to examine the beta 2GP1 effect on cardiolipin binding activity. Results showed good overall correlation of quantitative anticardiolipin measurements between workshop participants and the Antiphospholipid Standardization Laboratory. Correlation with individual ELISA kits was also good. With respect to the third objective, all participants showed comparable binding to cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine but none to phosphatidylcholine or beta 2GP1. Finally, beta 2GP1 enhanced, but was not essential for, anticardiolipin binding. This workshop will not settle controversies about anticardiolipin measurement and specificity, but suggests protocols to resolve these issues.
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