ANTINEUTROPHIL CYTOPLASMIC ANTIBODIES (ANCA)

Objective

In the case of autoimmune diseases the organism raises antibodies against its own cells. In 1985 it was reported that anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) -directed against components of the cytoplasm of the neutrophils- were present in the serum of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (inflammatory vascular disease of the upper airways and lungs, also affecting the kidneys). ANCA are now commonly measured to diagnose this disease.

The project consists of a collaborative study with the aim of developing a set of assays for the detection of ANCA. The methods will be assessed in order to determine their ability to detect and quantify ANCA in a spectrum of diseases that are characterised by the inflammatory state of the blood vessels, the kidneys or the joints. This will be achieved through an interlaboratory trial to test the selected assays (in a large number of laboratories) on an elevated number of patient sera.

STATUS

The project has started in 1990 and is expected to be completed before the end of 1994. Currently performed assays were compared on a limited number of patient serum samples. At present the selection of a set of solid phase assays is performed in parallel with the characterization of the antigens.

Programme(s)

• FP2-BCR 4 - Research and development programme (EEC) in the field of applied metrology and chemical analysis (Community Bureau of Reference - BCR), 1988-1992

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Academisch Ziekenhuis

Address

Leiden
Netherlands

Participants (14)

Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen

Netherlands

Address

Groningen

Gentofte Hospital

Denmark

Address

Hellerup

Hospital Clinic i Provincial

Spain

Address

Barcelona

Hôpital Necker

France

Address

149 Rue De Sèvres
Paris

National Bacteriological Laboratory

Sweden

Address

Stockholm

Rheumaklinik Bad Bramstedt

Germany

Address

Bad Bramstedt

Royal Postgraduate Medical School

United Kingdom

Address

150,Ducane Road
W12 ONN London

Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg

Germany

Address

Im Neuenheimer Feld 346
69120 Heidelberg

STATENS SERUM INSTITUT

Denmark

Address

Artillerivej 5

San Carlo Borromeo General Hospital

Italy

Address

20100 Milano

University of Cambridge

United Kingdom

Address

Trumpington Street
CB2 1PZ Cambridge

University of Ioannina Medical School

Greece

Address

Ioannina

Utech & Lüdeman GbR

Germany

Address

Raisdorf

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Belgium

Address

Brussel