Natural killer cells in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by thrombotic or obstetric events caused by persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs), namely lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, or anti-b2 glycoprotein I (anti-b2GPI) antibodies. [1] The main target antigen in APS is b2GPI, through which aPL binds to the cell membrane and subsequently activates membrane receptors and downstream signal transducers. This may activate natural killer (NK) cells, leading to obstetric complications.