Contribution of myeloperoxidase in vasculitis development.

Infiltrated neutrophils is believed to contribute to the progression of vasculitis. In particular, myeloperoxidase (MPO)-specific antibodies against neutrophils, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (MPO-ANCA) is involved in the development of vasculitis microscopic polyangiitis etc. In Japan a higher percentage of MPO-ANCA than that in Europe has been reported In addition, we showed a correlation of MPO-ANCA epitopes of Kawasaki disease patients by 47% with that of mothers'. On the other hand, mice having CADS/CAWS-induced vasculitis is a good model for the analysis of the production of MPO-ANCA. We have clarified that MPO is a major antigen for MPO-ANCA production using MPO KO mice. We also investigated the role of activated neutrophils in nephritis renal lesions using SCG/Kj mice. In the phase of nephritis with low grade of proteinuria, the spontaneous release of MPO from peripheral neutrophils increased, indicating that neutrophils are activated and contribute to the development of active crescentic lesion in SCG/Kj mice.