Platelet Fc gamma RIIA: time to go beyond the unknown.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Increasing evidence has shown that immune and thrombotic pathways cooperate to ensure efficient immune and hemostatic functions. Due to their involvement in various cardiovascular and inflammatory conditions, this interplay has gained significant interest, leading to many important discoveries. However, difference between mice and humans have limited the translatability of some of these findings. One key receptor involved in immuno-thrombosis but lacking in mice is the Fc gamma receptor IIA (FcγRIIA).

RECENT FINDINGS: Innovative in-vitro and in-vivo models for anti-PF4 immune disorders have greatly impacted our understanding of the role of FcγRIIA in these disorders and has revealed novel therapeutic strategies with great translational potential. Epideminological studies have hinted at a role for FcγRIIA in cardiovascular diseases; however, conclusive mechanistic studies are currently lacking.

SUMMARY: Humanized transgenic FcγRIIA mice have greatly advanced our understanding of the role of FcγRIIA in anti-PF4 immune disorders, immune thrombocytopenia and lupus; however, they have only rarely been used in models of thrombo-inflammation. To improve translation from bench to bedside, inclusion of FcγRIIA transgenic mouse models is encouraged.