Aktuelle Aspekte ANCA-assoziierter Vaskulitiden*

' Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), microscopic polyangiitis, and Churg-Strauss syndrome belong to the group ofANCA-associated vasculiddes. Numerous in vitro studies underscored the role of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in the pathogenesis of vasculitis. More recently, a mouse model provided in vivo evidence of the pathogenic role of ANCA by inducing a vasculitis after the transfer of splenocytes or MPO-ANCA. The target antigens of ANCA, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3), are translocated onto the cell surface after priming of neutrophil granulocytes with cytokines. ANCA bind to target antigens and activate neutrophil granulocytes resulting in premature degranulation and endothelial cell damage (ANCA-cytokine sequence theory). Both the F(ab')2 end and the FcγR(eceptor) end of the ANCA are involved in activating neutrophil granulocytes.This mode of activation might account for differences to normal neutrophil activation via the FcγR. In addition, an expansion ofT-cells lacking the co-stimulatory molecule CD28 is seen in WG suggesting an altered cellular immune response. Data from European multicenter studies demonstrated, among other things, that azathioprine can be used for the maintenance of remission after successful induction of remission with cyclophosphamide in ANCA-associated vasculitides.