NOVEL RETROVIRUS AND DIAGNOSTIC METHODS

摘要

The present application relates to a novel retrovirus, detected in human salivary gland and lymphoid tissues and associated with autoimmune disease, as well as nucleotide sequences derived from said virus, diagnostic techniques and kits, to antibodies which bind said retrovirus and their use in diagnosis. Also included are methods of treatment of autoimmune disease and compositions for use in those methods. The retrovirus is particularly associated with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) which is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by destruction of exocrine glands, particularly salivary and lacrimal glands.