Summary
Fcγ receptors have critical roles in the pathophysiology of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
(HIT), a severe immune-mediated complication of heparin treatment. Activation of platelets,
monocytes and neutrophils by platelet-activating anti-PF4/heparin IgG antibodies results
in thrombocytopenia, hypercoagulability and thrombosis in susceptible patients, effects
that depend on FcγRIIA. In addition, FcγRIIIA receptors probably contribute to clearance
of platelets sensitised by HIT immune complexes. FcγRI has also been reported to be
involved in monocyte activation by HIT IgG antibodies and synthesis of tissue factor.
This review focuses on the role of these FcγRs in HIT pathophysiology, including the
potential influence of several gene variations associated with variable risk of HIT
and related thrombosis. In particular, the 276P and 326Q alleles of CD148, a protein
tyrosine phosphatase that regulates FcγRIIA signalling, are associated with a lower
risk of HIT, and platelets from healthy donors expressing these alleles are hyporesponsive
to anti-PF4/H antibodies. It was also recently demonstrated that the risk of thrombosis
is higher in HIT patients expressing the R isoform of the FcγRIIA H131R polymorphism,
with HIT antibodies shown to activate RR platelets more efficiently, mainly explained
by an inhibitory effect of normal IgG2, which bound to the FcγRIIA 131H isoform more
efficiently. Environmental risk factors probably interact with these gene polymorphisms
affecting FcγRs, thereby increasing thrombosis risk in HIT.
Keywords
Heparin - thrombocytopenia - Fcγ receptors - gene polymorphisms