Title:The haywain: anti-synthethase antibodies in patients with inflammatory diseases: targeting monocytes or neutrophils?
VOLUME: 26
Author(s):Bob Meek and Ger Rijkers *
Affiliation:Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein, Middelburg, Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein
Keywords:Anti-Synthetase, Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, Interstitial Lung Disease
Abstract:Autoantibiodies against aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are found in patients suffering from a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Recent data indicate that these antibodies are directed against splice-variants of synthetase genes, the so-called catalytic nulls. Latter molecules have cytokine-like functions and are involved in regulation of the activation of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes. The potential role of anti-synthetase antibodies as diagnostic tool and as target for therapeutic interventions is discussed.
