Current classification criteria for definite APS recommend the use of one or more of three positive standardized laboratory assays, including anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), lupus anticoagulant (LA), and antibodies directed to β(2)glycoprotein I (anti-β(2)GPI) to detect antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in the presence of at least one of the two major clinical manifestations (i.e., thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity) of the syndrome. Several other autoantibodies shown to be directed to phospholipids and/or their complexes with phospholipids and/or to proteins of the coagulation cascade, as well as a mechanistic test for resistance to annexin A5 anticoagulant activity, have been proposed to be relevant to APS. A task force of worldwide scientists in the field discussed and analyzed critical questions related to 'non-criteria' aPL tests in an evidence-based manner during the 13th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APLA 2010, 13-16 April 2010, Galveston, Texas, USA). This report summarizes the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of this task force.

Annexin A5 (AnxA5) binds to phospholipid bilayers, forming two-dimensional crystals that block the phospholipids from availability for coagulation enzyme reactions. Antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies cause gaps in the ordered crystallization of AnxA5 which expose phospholipids and thereby accelerate blood coagulation reactions. The aPL antibody-mediated disruption of AnxA5 crystallization has been confirmed on artificial phospholipid bilayers and on cell membranes including endothelial cells, placental trophoblasts and platelets. Recently, we reported that hydroxychloroquine, a synthetic antimalarial drug, can reverse this antibody-mediated process through two mechanisms: (1) by inhibiting the formation of aPL IgG-beta2glycoprotein I complexes; and (2) by promoting the formation of a second layer of AnxA5 crystal 'patches' over areas where the immune complexes had disrupted AnxA5 crystallization. In another translational application, we have developed a mechanistic assay that reports resistance to AnxA5 anticoagulant activity in plasmas of patients with aPL antibodies. AnxA5 resistance may identify a subset of aPL syndrome patients for whom this is a mechanism for pregnancy losses and thrombosis. The elucidation of aPL-mediated mechanisms for thrombosis and pregnancy complications may open new paths towards addressing this disorder with targeted treatments and mechanistic assays.

The phospholipid binding protein, annexin A5 (AnxA5), has potent anticoagulant properties that result from its forming 2-dimensional crystals over phospholipids, blocking the availability of the phospholipids for critical coagulation enzyme reactions. This article reviews the evidence that antiphospholipid antibodies can disrupt this anticoagulant shield and unmask thrombogenic anionic phospholipids, which may thereby contribute to thrombosis in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This mechanism for thrombosis in APS can be monitored with coagulation assays for resistance to anticoagulant activity of AnxA5.