Autoantibodies to neutrophil granule proteins: pathogenic potential in vasculitis?
The discovery of circulating autoantibodies to neutrophil granule proteins (ANCA), which are present in a high proportion of patients with vasculitis, has revitalised both clinical and experimental research in this area. Although their antigen specificities and strong association with vasculitic diseases have now been established, the role of ANCA in the disease process is uncertain. This review is a brief outline of some of the clinical associations of ANCA, and describes interesting new avenues being taken in recent research which may provide an insight into how ANCA may contribute to vascular damage in patients with vasculitis.
Locke
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Centre for Rheumatology/Bloomsbury Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University College London, England, UK.
Cambridge
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D000818:Animals; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000276:immunology*; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018375:Neutrophil Activation / Q000276:immunology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000276:immunology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000276:immunology*
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D017452:Receptors, IgG