Should we be using organ-specific antigens to understand organ-specific autoimmune disease?

摘要

Shen et al. in their article "Novel Autoantibodies in Sjogren's Syndrome (SS)" have identified autoantibodies to several salivary gland antigens. Autoantibodies to salivary gland protein-1 (SP-1) and carbonic anydrase-6 (CA6) were found - initially in a mouse model, and were later found in SS (and idiopathic sicca) patients. Their hypothesis is that these novel salivary gland antigens may appear before SS-A/SS-B and thus, identify a patient population more responsive to treatment.