Takayasu arteritis, Buerger disease and inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms: is there a common pathway in their pathogenesis?

Takayasu arteritis, Bueger disease and IAAA are non-specific vasculitis involving mainly large vessels, the etiology of which are all still in the mist. Our recent HLA analysis on Takayasu arteritis and Buerger disease revealed a close association with some HLA antigens which made us suppose the common pathological pathway to cause these morbid conditions. International survey on Takayasu arteritis also revealed cases involving abdominal aorta only (Type IV, International Classification) in Asian countries, very similar to clinical and pathological features of IAAA. These ongoing survey suggest the common mechanism in the pathophysiology of these morbid conditions.