Platelet spleen tyrosine kinase is a key regulator of anti-PF4 antibody-induced immunothrombosis.

Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare but serious prothrombotic adverse event following vaccination with adenovector-based COVID-19 vaccines. Laboratory findings indicate that anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) immunoglobulin G antibodies are the causing factor for the onset of thromboembolic events in VITT. However, molecular mechanisms of cellular interactions, signaling pathways and involvement of different cell types in VITT antibody-mediated thrombosis are not fully understood.

[Immune thrombocytopenia: current diagnostics and therapy : The new 2023 expert report in brief].

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired thrombocytopenia caused by an autoimmune reaction against platelets in the blood and against megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. The indication for treatment is based on the bleeding symptoms and patient-specific factors. This article presents the current 2023 expert report that also forms the basis for the updated version of the Onkopedia guideline, which is expected in the course of 2024.

Liver fibrosis in inflammatory arthritis patients treated with methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine: A FIB-4 index analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate the risk of liver fibrosis and associated factors with the non-invasive fibrosis score-4 (FIB-4) index in patients with inflammatory arthritis using methotrexate (MTX).

Methods: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who were followed up in the rheumatology outpatient clinic, who were on methotrexate only and for whom FIB-4 index was could be calculated at methotrexate initiation and follow-up were included. The FIB-4 index was calculated according to the following formula: age (years) × AST(IU/L)/(platelet count(10 (9)/L) × √ALT(IU/L)).