News

AAV-caused Kidney Involvement Is Linked to Immune Monocyte Cells

Similar to neutrophils, immune monocyte cells play an essential role in kidney damage caused by ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a study discovered. The pro-inflammatory function of monocytes was stimulated by the immune signaling protein CSF2, also called GM-CSF. Therapeutically targeting monocytes or CSF2 may be a potential new treatment strategy…

Case Links Pfizer-BioNTech COVID Vaccine to AAV Kidney Damage

A woman developed a rare case of acute kidney failure linked to ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) following her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, according to a report. This case adds to previous reports suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines may, in rare instances, promote the development or exacerbation of autoimmune…

Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Linked to AAV-related Kidney Damage

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine may have triggered kidney inflammation associated with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in a 52-year-old woman, according to a recent case report. “We believe that this is the first case report of AAV that occurred following adenovirus vector COVID-19 vaccine administration,” its scientists wrote. “Increasing…

Blocking Immune Molecule IL-21 May Be Target as MPO-AAV Therapy

Levels of the immune signaling molecule interleukin-21 (IL-21) and the cells that produce the protein were elevated in the blood of people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) with myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies, a study found. IL-21 levels also were linked to higher MPO levels and disease activity, suggesting its direct involvement in…