Contribution of chondroitin sulfate A to the binding of complement proteins to activated platelets

Exposure of chondroitin sulfate A (CS-A) on the surface of activated platelets is well established. The

This study supports the concept that CS-A contributes to the binding of C1q, C4BP, and factor H to platelets, thereby adding CS-A to the previously reported binding sites for these proteins on the platelet surface. CS-A-bound C1q also seems to amplify the binding of immune complexes to activated platelets, suggesting a role for this molecule in immune complex diseases.