The primary small-vessel systemic vasculitides are disorders that target small blood vessels, inducing vessel wall inflammation, and are associated with the development of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Multiple organs are attacked, including the lungs and kidneys. Increasing knowledge of pathogenesis suggests that the antibodies activate neutrophils inappropriately, leading to endothelial and vascular damage. Cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor, can facilitate damage by priming the neutrophils and activating endothelial cells. Apoptosis of infiltrating neutrophils is also disrupted by anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody activation, and removal of these effete cells occurs in a pro-inflammatory manner, promoting persistent inflammation. The autoimmune response may be promoted by aberrant phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by dendritic cells. Understanding the pathogenesis can help to rationalize existing therapies and indicate new approaches to therapy.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Conference Article|
June 01 2004
The importance of resolution of inflammation in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis
L. Harper;
L. Harper
1
Division of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email l.harper@bham.ac.uk).
Search for other works by this author on:
J.M. Williams;
J.M. Williams
Division of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
C.O. Savage
C.O. Savage
Division of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2004 Biochemical Society
2004
Biochem Soc Trans (2004) 32 (3): 502–506.
Citation
L. Harper, J.M. Williams, C.O. Savage; The importance of resolution of inflammation in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis. Biochem Soc Trans 1 June 2004; 32 (3): 502–506. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bst0320502
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.