Anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA) are antibodies often directed against cardiolipin and found in several diseases including syphilis[1], antiphospholipid syndrome, livedoid vasculitis, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, Behçet's syndrome[2], idiopathic spontaneous abortion,[3] and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).[4] They are a form of anti-mitochondrial antibody. In SLE, The anti-DNA antibodies and anti-cardiolipin act independently.[5] In rheumatoid arthritis[6] with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)[7] these antibodies may tie two conditions together.
Anti-cardiolipin antibodies can be classified in two ways.
β2-glycoprotein I has been identified as Apolipoprotein H and is required for the recognition of ACA in autoimmune disease.[8] Only a subset of autoimmune anti-cardiolipin antibodies bind Apo-H, these anti-apolipoprotein antibodies are associated with increased thrombosis.
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