Platelet antigens and antibody detection.

Platelets are anucleate blood cells, which play an important part in haemostasis and maintenance of the integrity of blood-vessel endothelium. Interaction of platelet glycoproteins (GPs) with extracellular matrix proteins is critical to this function. The original impetus for investigating the alloantigens found on the GPs of the platelet membrane came from clinical observations of pathological conditions involving antibodies against platelet-specific antigens. Since then, dramatic progress has been made in elucidating the biochemical nature, function and molecular biology of platelet membrane GPs. The structure of many of the genes controlling platelet GPs have been determined and further characterization of platelet polymorphisms has been possible because of advances in molecular biology and monoclonal antibody techniques. These techniques have also resulted in a significant increase in the reliability of detection and identification of platelet antibodies and antigens in clinical laboratories.