Anti–Endothelial Cell Antibodies in Takayasu Arteritis

Background Although a specific etiology for Takayasu arteritis has not been found, the bulk of evidence favors an autoimmune mechanism. We examined the sera of 19 patients with Takayasu arteritis for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-DNA antibodies, antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), anti-Ro antibodies, anticardiolipin antibodies, circulating immune complexes, and anti–endothelial...