Fibrin citrulline derivatives and their use for diagnosing or treating rheumatoid arthritis

摘要

Citrulline (Cit) containing polypeptide (I) derived from all or part of the alpha - or beta -chains of fibrin (from a vertebrate) by substitution of at least one arginine residue by Cit, is new. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) antigenic composition for detecting autoantibodies (AAb) specific for rheumatoid polyarthritis (RP), comprising at least one (I), optionally labeled and/or conjugated to a carrier protein; (2) method for detecting AAb; (3) kit for detecting AAb; and (4) pharmaceutical composition containing at least one (I) as active ingredient. ACTIVITY : Anti-arthritic; anti-inflammatory. No biological data is given. MECHANISM OF ACTION : Neutralization of an autoimmune response, especially inhibition of fixation of humoral/cellular effectors of the response. The antigen responsible for the autoimmune response in rheumatoid polyarthritis has been identified as citrulline-containing derivatives of fibrin chains.