Immunomodulation of experimental APS: lessons from murine models

Lessons from experimental APS models

Several animal models for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) have been reported in the literature. These experimental models have contributed significantly in resolving enigmas in this multisystemic disease. We, and others have previously shown the pathogenicity of anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies in pregnancy outcome. We have expanded our studies to show the pathogenicity of aCL antibodies in renal dysfunction and neurological and behavioral impairments in animals with experimental APS. Animals immunized with aCL or with the cofactor beta2GPI developed clinical manifestations of APS, including fetal loss, thrombocytopenia and neurological and behavioral dysfunction, along with elevated levels of aPL antibodies. In another animal model, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) derived from APS patients could initiate APS manifestations with renal dysfunction in SCID mice. A unique in vivo model for thrombus formation was recently established to show the pathogenicity of aPL in thrombosis associated with APS. Histological evaluation of affected tissues derived from animals or from patients with APS have pointed to common mechanisms underlying APS, showing mainly thrombotic changes accompanied by mild inflammatory reaction.

Immunomodulation of experimental antiphospholipid syndrome

The various therapeutic modalities which are found to be beneficial in experimental antiphospholipid syndrome include: bone marrow transplantation, anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies, bromocriptine, intravenous immunoglobulins and anti-idiotypes, interleukin-3, and various anti-coagulant and anti-aggregate agents. The advantage of animal models is the ability to evaluate experimental treatments that cannot be tested directly on patients. In this paper, we review the effect of these agents on animal models of antiphospholipid syndrome, their mechanisms of action, and their clinical implications.