title: T cells in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis: current knowledge.
abstract: AAV are a group of systemic immune-mediated diseases with a strong and highly specific association with ANCA. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that ANCA might play a direct pathogenic role in triggering AAV. Nevertheless, effectors of cell-mediated immunity prevail in the inflammation sites in patients with AAV. Numerous studies found increased markers of T-cell activation in AAV. Moreover, this activation persisted even in remission and despite treatment. Finally, successful therapeutic attempts using T cell-directed treatment were also reported. There has therefore been substantial evidence that T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of AAV, even though the exact mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. In this review, recent findings on the contribution of T cells to the pathogenic processes in AAV will be briefly summarized. Special emphasis will be placed on the Th1/Th2 concept, the role of T-regulatory cells, and the role of effector memory T cells in the pathogenesis of AAV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Charles University in Prague, First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. Zdenka.Vankova@seznam.cz
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hrusková
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marecková
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ríhová
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rysavá
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jancová
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merta
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tesar
mesh_terms: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D053146:Myeloblastin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D016207:Cytokines; D009195:Peroxidase; D053146:Myeloblastin