Isolation and characterization of cysteine proteinase in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, schistocytic haemolytic anaemia, fever, neurologic lesions, and renal failure. A platelet aggregating factor has been postulated to be responsible for this disorder, but its precise identity remains debated. Two different groups of investigators have provided evidence that the platelet aggregating factor is a cysteine proteinase. We have …