7. Pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia in APS

The pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia related to aPL antibodies is still unclear. It is possibly caused by direct binding of anti-β2-GPI antibodies or anti-β2-GPI-β2-GPI complexes on activated platelets and promotes their aggregation and thrombus formation, so thrombocytopenia is a consequence of consumption of platelets.

On the other hand, thrombocytopenia in APS may be due to immune-mediated clearance of platelets, as in case of ITP [38].
