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Updated: Nov 20, 2025

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
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Medium- and Large-Vessel Vasculitis

David Saadoun1,2, Mathieu Vautier1, Patrice Cacoub2

  • 1Sorbonne Universités, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Centre national de Référence des Maladies Auto-Immunes Systémiques Rares, Centre national de Référence des Maladies Auto-Inflammatoires et de l'Amylose inflammatoire, Paris, France (D.S., M.V.).

Circulation
|January 19, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Systemic vasculitides are blood vessel disorders classified by affected vessel size. Prompt diagnosis is crucial to mitigate mortality risks and adverse outcomes associated with these multisystem conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Systemic vasculitides are multisystem disorders affecting blood vessels, categorized by size: small, medium, or large.
  • Common examples include giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis (large vessel), and polyarteritis nodosa and Kawasaki disease (medium vessel).
  • Variability in presentation and potential for single-organ involvement necessitate high clinical suspicion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnostic strategies, and management of systemic vasculitides.
  • To emphasize the importance of prompt identification and diagnosis in cardiovascular clinicians.
  • To highlight the impact of ethnic and regional variations on vasculitis presentation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on vasculitis pathophysiology and epidemiology.
  • Analysis of diagnostic approaches for various vasculitis types.
  • Summary of current management strategies for systemic vasculitides.

Main Results:

  • Vasculitides are classified by predominant vessel size involvement (small, medium, large), though overlap exists.
  • Prompt diagnosis is critical due to associated mortality risks and potential for severe adverse outcomes.
  • Clinical presentation is highly variable, influenced by ethnic and regional factors.

Conclusions:

  • Systemic vasculitides require a high index of suspicion for timely diagnosis and effective management.
  • Understanding pathophysiology, epidemiology, and diagnostic nuances is essential for cardiovascular clinicians.
  • Early intervention can prevent or minimize serious complications and improve patient outcomes.

Keywords:
Kawasaki diseaseTakayasugiant cell arteritispolyarteritis nodosavasculitis

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