Nonneutralizing IgM and IgG antibodies to von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (ADAMTS-13) in a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Blood. 2003 Nov 1;102(9):3241-3. doi: 10.1182/blood-2003-05-1616. Epub 2003 Jul 10.

Abstract

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has been linked to severe deficiency of ADAMTS-13 activity caused by autoantibodies inhibitory to ADAMTS-13. We report data on a patient with confirmed TTP who had severely reduced ADAMTS-13 activity but showed no ADAMTS-13 inhibition in a widely used fluid phase activity assay. With a newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using immobilized recombinant ADAMTS-13, we found high titers of IgM and IgG antibodies that bound to ADAMTS-13, but did not neutralize protease activity. These autoantibodies probably influenced the half-life of ADAMTS-13 or its binding to the endothelial cell surface, thereby compromising ADAMTS-13 activity in vivo. Given that ADAMTS-13 may interact physiologically with various receptors or ligands, the occurrence, distribution, and the epitope mapping of nonneutralizing antibodies will be an important area for future research.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • ADAM Proteins
  • ADAMTS13 Protein
  • Aged
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Metalloendopeptidases / immunology*
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / etiology
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • ADAM Proteins
  • Metalloendopeptidases
  • ADAMTS13 Protein
  • ADAMTS13 protein, human