Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies: Current diagnostic and pathophysiological potential

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a clinical syndrome characterized by rapid deterioration of renal function occurring within days or weeks together with signs of glomerulonephritis, that is, proteinuria and hematuria with cellular casts. The syndrome is, in many cases, histopathologically manifested as fibrinoid necrosis of the capillary wall with extracapillary proliferation and crescent formation [1]. This so-called necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN) is seen in 5 to 15% of renal biopsies in most series [1–3]. Although it is infrequent, the importance of the condition is illustrated by the fact that most cases of NCGN, if left untreated, develop renal failure within days or weeks [1]. Based on immunohistopathology NCGN can be subdivided into three distinct categories. The first one, occurring in 2 to 20% of the cases and characterized by linear staining of the glomerular capillary wall for immunoglobulin and complement, has classically been described as anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease. It is associated with autoantibodies to structural antigens of the GBM, in particular to the first globular noncollagen domain of collagen type IV [4]. The antibodies are considered of pathogenetic significance. The second category, comprising 15 to 50% of cases, is characterized by granular deposits of immunoglobulin and complement suggesting that immune complexes are pathogenetically involved. This type occurs in conjunction with systemic autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus, in cases of post-infectious glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy or Henoch-Schönlein purpura, or as an idiopathic variety. The third group of NCGN, occurring in 40 to 80%, demonstrates only a few or no immune deposits and is designated as pauci-immune NCGN [1–3, 5, 6]. Pauci-immune NCGN occurs as part of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) or related conditions, or without systemic vasculitis (idiopathic NCGN). The pathophysiology of this pauci-immune type of NCGN has not been elucidated. Within the last decade, however, it has been recognized that the condition is associated with autoantibodies to cytoplasmic components of neutrophils (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies or ANCA).ANCA were first described in 1982 by Davies et al in a few patients with segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis [7]. Only in 1985 did it become apparent that ANCA are a sensitive and specific marker for Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) [8]. Later on, ANCA were described in patients with microscopic polyarteritis [9]. Falk and Jennette, in 1988, showed that ANCA are also associated with the idiopathic form of pauci-immune NCGN [10]. These data have now been confirmed by many groups and support the view that ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis and vasculitis is, indeed, a distinct disease category. A number of studies, in addition, have suggested that ANCA are involved in the pathophysiology of the aforementioned disorders. As ANCA, however, have recently also been detected in a wide range of inflammatory and infectious conditions, a critical reappraisal of the diagnostic significance of ANCA-testing seems justified.In this review we will evaluate the current state of ANCA-testing as well as elaborate on the pathophysiological role of the autoantibodies in necrotizing glomerulonephritis and vasculitis. Data presented recently at the Fifth International Workshop on ANCA, held in Cambridge, United Kingdom, will be included [11]. As such, it adds to previous reviews on ANCA that were published following the Second [12], Third [13], and Fourth [14] Workshops on ANCA