What you should know about PR3-ANCA. Evidence for the role of T cells in the pathogenesis of systemic vasculitis.
The pathogenesis of systemic vasculitis is complex and is likely to involve many mechanisms. There is a growing body of evidence that T cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides. Predominantly, T cells and monocytes are found in inflammatory infiltrates in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). The production of ANCA appears to be T-cell-dependent. T lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis have been shown to proliferate in response to proteinase 3 (PR3). These and other findings outlined in this review indicate T-cell involvement, although further studies are still needed to elucidate the exact contribution of T cells to the pathogenesis of systemic vasculitis.
Clayton
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AR
MRC Centre for Immune Regulation, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, UK.
Savage
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CO
D000818:Animals; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053146:Myeloblastin; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D016207:Cytokines; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053146:Myeloblastin