A study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology has demonstrated that circulating antiphospholipid antibodies, especially the IgG isotype, causes blood clotting in COVID-19 patients. The IgG antibodies upregulate the expression of cell adhesion molecules and activate the endothelial cells that lead to thrombosis. Venous thromboembolism has been observed in severe COVID-19 cases. Recent studies have identified the production of autoantibody in severe COVID-19 patients.
These autoantibodies are similar to the antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), which are known to be triggered by viral infections. The aPLs attach to the cell surfaces and stimulate endothelial cells, neutrophils, and platelets, leading to thrombosis. Therefore, researchers were interested in finding the role of aPL antibodies, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs – known activators of endothelial cells), and IgG…
