Anti‐neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA)

Abstract

Circulating antibodies directed against cytoplasmic constituents of granulocytes and monocytes (anti‐neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies, ANCA) are found in about 80% of active cases of Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyarteritis. Antibodies are detected by indirect immunofluorescence on normal peripheral blood leucocytes, or by ELISA or radio‐immunoassay using a neutrophil cytoplasm extract. There are 2 patterns of staining seen on indirect immuno‐fluorescent examination of leucocytes and a number of different molecules recognised on Western blots. In Wegener's granulomatosis diffusely granular cytoplasmic staining (cANCA) is associated with a 29KD molecule that has recently been ide..