Research Progress of Desialylation in Immune Thrombocytopenia -Review

Abstract

Some patients diagnosed as immune thrombocytopenia(ITP) have poor response to common first-line therapy such as corticosteroid and immunoglobulin. Studies in recent years have found a FC-independent platelet clearance pathway exists, which is characterized by desialylation of platelet surface glycoprotein(GP), recognition and phagocytosis by Ashwell-Morell receptor(AMR) on hepatocytes, independent on Fc receptors of the reticuloendothelial system. The up-regulation of neuraminidase-1(Neu1) expression on platelet caused by various factors, such as cold storage of platelet, septicemia and ITP could desialylate GPs. It has been found that ITP with positive anti-GPIbα antibody mostly has a poor response to first-line therapy and indicated that such antibody may lead to FC-independent platelet clearance. It also has been proved that anti-GPIbα antibody could desialylate GPs on platelet in animal experiments. Researchers have tris to use sialidase inhibitor agent to treat ITP and got a persistent response of platelet. Here, the desialylation of platelet and its role in ITP pathogensis and therapy are reviewed.