What Causes Hughes/Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome? Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) occurs if the bodys immune system makes antibodies (proteins) that attack phospholipids. Phospholipids are a type of fat found in all living cells and cell membranes, including blood cells and the lining of blood vessels. Researchers don’t know what causes the immune system to make antibodies against phospholipids. APS causes blood clots to form in the bodys arteries and veins. Usually, blood clotting is a normal bodily process. It helps seal small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls. Clotting prevents you from losing too much blood. In APS, however, too much clotting can block blood flow and damage the bodys organs. Researchers dont know why APS antibodies cause blood clots to form. Some believe that the antibodies damage or affect the inner lining of the blood vessels, which causes clotting. Others believe that the immune system makes antibodies in response to blood clots damaging the blood vessels. Source of information: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Posted on: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 10:12:13 +0000