Abstract
A group of primary vasculitides is associated with the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA). In these diseases, the contribution of ANCA to disease pathogenesis has been studied extensively. Also, in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitides, the T lymphocyte compartment is dysregulated, as aberrant distribution and function of T cell subsets has been shown. In this review we will discuss the putative role of T lymphocytes in inflammation and granuloma formation, as well as the involvement of B cell compartments in the pathophysiology of ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
MeSH terms
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Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / complications
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Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / immunology*
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Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / metabolism
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Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / pathology
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Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / immunology
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Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / metabolism*
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B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
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B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
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Epitopes
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Granuloma / complications
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Granuloma / immunology*
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Granuloma / metabolism
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Granuloma / pathology
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Humans
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Inflammation / complications
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Inflammation / immunology*
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Inflammation / metabolism
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Inflammation / pathology
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Neutrophils / immunology
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Neutrophils / metabolism
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Signal Transduction / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
Substances
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Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
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Epitopes