PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Ketelsen, Billie TI - Molecular Action of ADAMTS-13 and Transfusion Therapies of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura AID - 10.29074/ascls.2020002287 DP - 2020 Jul 01 TA - American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science PG - 32--36 VI - 33 IP - 3 4099 - http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/content/33/3/32.short 4100 - http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/content/33/3/32.full SO - Clin Lab Sci2020 Jul 01; 33 AB - Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a disease that is classified by abnormal functioning of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS-13), protease. ADAMTS-13 protease impairment can be caused by genetic mutations at the gene level or through autoantibodies that are formed within the circulation. Congenital mutations account for about 5%–10% of the TTP population, whereas the acquired version is more common. The acquired version of TTP is caused by inhibitory and noninhibitory autoantibodies that affect the ADAMTS-13 protease. Both congenital and acquired TTP are treated through transfusion therapy with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). TPE is used to remove the autoantibodies and any mutated ADAMTS-13 proteases in the circulation while providing the addition of normal functioning ADAMTS-13 to the circulation.