Background/aim: ANCA-associated (AAV) vasculitis is an autoimmune small-vessel vasculitis and may be associated with accelerated atherosclerosis as suggested by current literature. Antibodies against oxidized lipoproteins (OxLDL) and phosphorylcholine (Pc) protect from atherosclerosis. This study characterizes these antibodies in AAV.
Methods: Pc- and anti-OxLDL antibodies were determined in sera of 39 AAV patients and 44 healthy controls (HC). Intima-media thickness (IMT, carotids) and pulse wave velocity (PWV, A. femoralis) were measured.
Results: Pc-/OxLDL IgM antibodies were significantly reduced in AAV. IMT and PWV were negatively associated with anti-Pc antibodies in HC only.
Conclusion: Atheroprotective anti-Pc/anti-OxLDL antibodies are significantly reduced in AAV possibly explaining accelerated atherosclerosis in vasculitis patients.
Keywords: ANCA; OxLDL; PcLDL; vasculitis.
© 2015 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation.