Anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies and the antiphospholipid syndrome

The mechanism of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) development is still not completely understood. Accumulating evidence indicates that β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI), is the major target antigen for antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies, which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of this autoimmune condition. Knowledge about the molecular structure, biological characteristics and function of β2GPI has been expanding in recent years. In this review, we have focused on some recent important findings on β2GPI and anti-β2GPI antibodies in patients and animal models with APS