title: Epitope-specific anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies: do they matter? Can they be detected?
abstract: Proteinase 3 (PR3)-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA are suggested to play a pathogenic role as they are closely related to the small-vessel vasculitis syndromes, Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis. A large body of in vitro and animal experiments supports this concept. The mechanisms of action involve a direct interaction between ANCA and its antigen. The epitope specificity of ANCA may therefore influence the functional effects of ANCA and/or may reflect the mechanisms behind different disease manifestations or disease courses.
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Disease Research Unit, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. specks.ulrich@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Specks
mesh_terms: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D000939:Epitopes; D006801:Humans; D053146:Myeloblastin / Q000276:immunology; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D000939:Epitopes; D009195:Peroxidase; D053146:Myeloblastin