Autoantibodies in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides are systemic or more limited conditions characterized by necrotizing destruction of small and medium-sized vessels (eg, capillaries, venules, and arterioles). ANCAs are the most predominant autoantibodies in patients affected by vasculitis, but other autoantibodies may also occur, probably reflecting pathogenetic events in affected tissue. These autoantibodies are assumed to play a role in the initiation and propagation of chronic inflammation. ANCAs are valuable for clinical diagnosis, follow-up, and guidance in therapy. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.