Reduced factor XII levels in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome are associated with antibodies to factor XII.

Antibodies to factor XII (FXII) have previously been identified in some patients who were lupus anti-coagulant-positive. The relationship between these antibodies and FXII levels appeared to be variable. The aim of the present study was to confirm the presence of antibodies to FXII in patients with well characterized antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to establish their potential effect on levels of FXII. Forty-two patients with APS were studied; 21 patients were found to have either immunoglobulin (Ig)G or IgM antibodies to FXII by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a highly purified preparation of FXII (> 99% pure). Levels of FXII were statistically significantly lower (P = 0.02) in patients with antibodies to FXII when compared with patients without antibodies to FXII (median = 91 micro/dl, s.d. = 39.1, median = 122 micro/dl, s.d. = 41.1 respectively). Four of the 21 patients with antibodies to FXII were found to have FXII levels below the laboratory normal range. Antibodies to FXII are present in significant numbers of patients with APS and may lead to acquired FXII deficiency.