title: Possible therapeutic applications of single-chain antibodies in systemic autoimmune diseases.
abstract: B cells participate in the induction and maintenance of systemic autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, via production of pathogenic autoantibodies, contributing to the formation of immune complexes. Immune complex deposition in the kidney and joints causes inflammation and organ destruction, and chemokine production enhances T cell activation and tissue damage. The development of the disorder depends on several factors, for example, genetic susceptibility, environmental factors or immune dysregulation. Traditional therapies, which aimed at the alleviation of symptoms, are giving way to biological therapies with the potential of disrupting disease progression. This article focuses on antibody therapies, especially on the applications of single-chain antibodies, as new biological agents for the treatment of systemic autoimmune disorders.
authors.affiliation: Eötvös Loránd University, Department of Immunology, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány Péter s.1/c, Hungary. angyal_adrienn@yahoo.de
authors.forename: Adrienn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Angyal
authors.forename: József
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prechl
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sármay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003167:Complement Activation; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D003165:Complement System Proteins