Proposal of anti-moesin as a novel biomarker for ANCA-associated vasculitis

Clin Exp Nephrol. 2013 Oct;17(5):638-641. doi: 10.1007/s10157-013-0861-1. Epub 2013 Sep 27.

Abstract

Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) is associated with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) in microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). MPO-ANCA activates neutrophils by binding to cell surface MPO expressed on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-primed neutrophils and induces neutrophil degranulation and production of reactive oxygen species, consequently resulting in glomerular endothelial damage. Recently, anti-MPO antibody has been found to activate glomerular endothelial cells, leading to an upregulation of adhesion molecules. MPO-ANCA, however, is not always correlated with disease activity in MPA. Accordingly, the molecule(s) responsible for the anti-MPO antibody have been explored on mouse glomerular endothelial cells. The molecule was identified as moesin, which is a heparin-binding protein and belongs to the ezrin/radixin/moesin family of proteins distributed in the plasma membrane in the cellular cortex. Interestingly, anti-moesin is observed in sera of SCG/Kj mice, which spontaneously develop MPO-ANCA-associated RPGN, and of patients with MPO-AAV. The activation of glomerular endothelial cells by the anti-MPO antibody appears to be associated with signaling through moesin.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / blood
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / complications
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / diagnosis
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / blood*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Glomerulonephritis / blood
  • Glomerulonephritis / diagnosis
  • Glomerulonephritis / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microfilament Proteins / immunology*
  • Predictive Value of Tests

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Biomarkers
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • moesin