The pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis

Abstract

ANCA-associated vasculitis is characterized by the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) in the serum. ANCA is a pathogenic autoantibody as well as the disease marker. It has been realized that ANCA-cytokine sequence is involved in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis. Recent studies have revealed that neutrophil extracellular traps induced by ANCA are also involved in the pathogenesis. In this study, we review the roles of neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages/dendritic cells, complements, B cells/plasma cells, T cells, and cytokines/chemokines/cell growth factors in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis.