title: Anti-cytokine autoantibodies in autoimmune diseases.
abstract: An overview of the current literature is showing that autoantibodies (AutoAbs) against cytokines are produced in several pathological conditions, including autoimmune diseases, but can also be detected in healthy individuals. In autoimmune diseases, these AutoAbs may also be prognostic markers, either negative (such as AutoAbs to IL-8 and IL-1α in rheumatoid arthritis) or positive (such as AutoAbs to IL-6 in systemic sclerosis and those to osteopontin in rheumatoid arthritis). They may have neutralizing activity and influence the course of the physiological and pathological immune responses. High levels of AutoAbs against cytokines may even lead to immunodeficiency, such as those to IL-17 in autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I or those to IFN-γ in mycobacterial infections. Their role in human therapy may be exploited not only through passive immunization but also through vaccination, which may improve the costs for long lasting treatments of autoimmune diseases. Detection and quantification of these AutoAbs can be profoundly influenced by the technique used and standardization of these methods is needed to increase the value of their analysis.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases (IRCAD), "A. Avogadro" University of Eastern Piedmont Novara, Italy ; Department of Health Sciences, "A. Avogadro" University of Eastern Piedmont Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cappellano
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Orilieri
authors.forename: Abiy D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Woldetsadik
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boggio
authors.forename: Maria F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Soluri
authors.forename: Cristoforo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Comi
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sblattero
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiocchetti
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dianzani
keywords: Cytokines; autoantibodies; autoimmune diseases; vaccines