Fluid-Phase Immune Complexes Can Assemble and Activate Platelets in Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Abstract Introduction: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a complication of heparin therapy that is caused by antibodies to complexes of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin. Several studies have reported that in order for these immune complexes to be pathogenic, they must assemble on the platelet surface. When bound to the platelet surface, the conformation of PF4 allows for optimal presentation of the epitope for …