title: The immunobiology of Henoch-Schönlein purpura.
abstract: Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a common but enigmatic systemic small vessel vasculitis that primarily affects children. Although the etiology of this disease is unknown, there are tantalizing clues on the natural history and immunopathogenesis. This article reviews these clues including aspects of disease-associated pathogens, immune regulation, with a focus on IgA, and finally the immunogenetic background of host. We also present a hypothetical model for the development of HSP and submit that this paradigm will be a generic one for similar vasculopathies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yao-Hsu
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ya-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Li-Chieh
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hsin-Yi
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: M Eric
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gershwin
authors.forename: Bor-Luen
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Chiang
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood*; D018448:Models, Immunological
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A