Antiendothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Conclusion There is now overwhelming evidence that AECAs exist and are commonly found in the sera of patients with SLE and other autoimmune connective tissue dieases. In many of these diseases, the antibodies mirror disease activity; in SLE, they are associated with clinical manifestations such as nephritis, vasculitis, and thrombosis. The main challenges for the future include the practical aspects of standardizing a technique for measuring AECAs and assessing the potential role for these antibodies in pathogenicity.