Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitis after immunisation with bacterial proteins.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: There is circumstantial evidence for a role for infections in the development of the small vessel vasculitides associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). The aim of this study was to determine whether the immunisation of rats with bacterial proteins could result in circulating ANCA, T cells with specificity for ANCA antigens, and a systemic vasculitis. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were immunised with pasteurised sonicated S. aureus (n = 7), E. coli (n = 8), purified protein derivative (PPD, n = 5), myeloperoxidase (MPO, n = 5) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, n = 5), in complete and in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. ANCA were assayed by indirect immunofluore..