METHOD FOR THE SEROLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

摘要

The present invention is in the field of diagnostic methods. It provides a new marker antibody for rheumatoid arthritis as well as a new method for detecting rheumatoid arthritis. It also provides means and methods for predicting whether a subject will develop rheumatoid arthritis. The invention is based on the discovery that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have antibodies in their circulation that react specifically with citrullinated antibodies. In one aspect, the invention therefore relates to an antibody comprising a citrulline residue. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for the detection of antibodies specific for rheumatoid arthritis in a sample from a subject, wherein the sample is contacted with a citrullinated antibody and wherein it is determined whether the sample comprises antibodies specifically reactive with the citrullinated antibody.