title: Are antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides pauci-immune?
abstract: The role of ICs in ANCA-associated vasculitides remains controversial. The ANCA-associated vasculitides are described as being pauci-immune. We hypothesize that the absence of ICs is a result of an exaggerated inflammatory response caused by the presence of ANCAs. We present evidence indicating that ICs may play a role in the initiation or relapses of the disease. The nature of the involved antigen(s) is not yet known. Possible candidates are reviewed and include ANCA antigens, AECA antigens, and staphylococcal antigens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen. R.H.Brons@med.rug.nl
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Brons
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Kallenberg
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tervaert
mesh_terms: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000276:immunology*; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial