Unravelling autoimmune pathogenesis by screening random peptide libraries with human sera.
The incidence of autoimmunity is increasing worldwide. The long preclinical period of autoimmune disorders is characterised by an enhanced exposure over time of autoreactive T cells to an increased number of autoantigenic determinants and autoantibodies production. The discovery of novel autoimmune-disease related epitopes is a task that remains extremely challenging in order to establish predictive and preventive strategies of the disease onset. In this Opinion article we highlight the contribution of screening combinatorial random peptide libraries with patients sera in unravelling the etiopathogenesis of autoimmunity.
Autoimmunity and Organ Regeneration Laboratory, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu', Research Institute, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy. fierabracci@opbg.net
Alessandra
A
Fierabracci
D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D020650:Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques / Q000379:methods; D000939:Epitopes; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000378:metabolism; D007167:Immunotherapy; D019151:Peptide Library
D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D000939:Epitopes; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; D007106:Immune Sera; D019151:Peptide Library