[ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies). Contribution of ANCA to the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms of systemic vasculitis].

ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) are a growing class of interest; these antibodies target lysosomial enzymes from polymorphonuclear cells. They represent diagnosis tools and prognosis markers in systemic vasculitis (Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis). They are also detected in other chronic inflammatory diseases as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Their description, ten years ago, led to a huge amount of clinical and experimental work. The role of ANCA as pathogenic auto-antibodies in the disease is supported in numerous studies giving new insights into the pathogenesis of systemic vasculitis.