PEPTIDES DESIGNED FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

摘要

The present invention relates to peptides that mimic the immunogenic determinants of self-proteins recognised by autoimmune antibodies in a biological sample from patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). More particularly, the present invention relates to citrulline-containing peptides, which react with the majority of the latter antibodies. Furthermore, the present invention relates to diagnostic tools for a more convenient and sensitive diagnosis of RA and to therapeutical methods to treat RA.