title: Functional autoantibodies, a new paradigm in autoimmunity?
abstract: The recent detection of stimulatory autoantibodies as a characteristic feature of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), established the presence of such autoantibodies as a characteristic pathophysiologic finding in a second classical autoimmune disease after autoimmune thyroid disease. This observation raises the possibility of a new paradigm in abnormal autoimmune function, the presence of stimulatory (and suppressive), functional autoantibodies as characteristic features of abnormal autoimmune function. The assumption of such a paradigm opens interesting new research avenues within rheumatology and in other medical specialty areas. Within reproductive medicine, and akin to the concept of hypo- and hyperthyroidism, the possible juxtaposition of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovarian aging (POA), as opposite abnormalities of adrenal function, under control of autoimmune adrenal antibodies, deserves further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Reproduction (CHR), New York, New York, United States; Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States. Electronic address: ngleicher@thechr.com.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gleicher
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Reproduction (CHR), New York, New York, United States; Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barad
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Allgemeine Krankenhaus and Vienna University, Medical School, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weghofer
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018828:Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000276:immunology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D018828:Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating