Autoantibodies directed against cytoplasmic constituents of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and/or monocytes. They are used as specific markers for Wegener's granulomatosis and other diseases, though their pathophysiological role is not clear. ANCA are routinely detected by indirect immunofluorescence with three different patterns: c-ANCA (cytoplasmic), p-ANCA (perinuclear), and atypical ANCA.
