MPOvastaaineisiin

MPOvastaaineisiin refers to antibodies directed against MPO, or myeloperoxidase. Myeloperoxidase is an enzyme primarily found in neutrophils, a type of white blood cell. It plays a crucial role in the innate immune system by generating hypochlorous acid, a potent antimicrobial agent. The presence of MPO-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (MPO-ANCA) in the blood is a significant diagnostic marker. These antibodies are strongly associated with a group of systemic autoimmune diseases known as ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV).

The detection of MPO-ANCA is essential for diagnosing and classifying certain forms of vasculitis, particularly microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and a subset of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). These conditions involve inflammation and damage to small blood vessels. Elevated levels of MPO-ANCA can indicate active disease and are often used to monitor treatment response and predict relapse risk. While MPO-ANCA are a hallmark of these autoimmune disorders, their precise role in the pathogenesis of vasculitis is still under investigation, though they are believed to contribute to neutrophil activation and subsequent vascular injury. Routine laboratory testing for MPO-ANCA is typically performed using indirect immunofluorescence or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.