Erschienen in:
01.08.2011 | Review
T-helper cells as new players in ANCA-associated vasculitides
verfasst von:
Wayel H Abdulahad, Peter Lamprecht, Cees GM Kallenberg
Erschienen in:
Arthritis Research & Therapy
|
Ausgabe 4/2011
Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten
Abstract
In anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitides (AAV), several observations support a key role of T-helper cells (CD4+ T cells) in disease pathophysiology. An expanded population of effector memory CD4+ T cells in AAV patients may contribute to tissue injury and disease progression. In addition, functional impairment of regulatory T cells (TRegs) is reported in AAV patients. A fraction of TRegs have the capacity to differentiate into Th17 cells in the context of a proinflammatory environment. Therefore, nonfunctionality of TRegs described in AAV patients may be caused by their conversion into IL-17-producing cells that may contribute to granulomatous vasculitis. Further investigations directed at the plasticity of TRegs in AAV patients are warranted.