Antibodies against citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA) have shown their relevance for the diagnosis and possibly pathogenesis in arthritis. Described are means and methods for determining antibodies against homocitrulline-containing proteins or carbamylated proteins/peptides (anti-CarP) for the classification of individuals suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, arthritis.

The present invention relates to multiplex microarrays and methods for the quantification of analytes. In particular, the invention relates to improved methods which standardize a target analyte concentration in a test sample against a reference standardization curve derived from validated, approved and recognized reference standards for the target analyte of known concentrations. The present invention also relates to methods and checks for simultaneous measurement of confidence confirming normalization standards and controls.

A method for diagnosis or aiding in the diagnosis of Sjgren's Syndrome (SS). The diagnosis method requires testing a sample obtained or derived from a subject for an amount of Taxilin alpha, wherein determining an amount of Taxilin alpha that is more than a reference comprises a diagnosis or aids in a diagnosis that the individual has SS, and wherein determining an amount of Taxilin alpha that is the same as or less than a reference indicates the individual does not have SS. A mAb or Taxilin alpha-binding fragment thereof (Taxilin alpha) having an antibody heavy chain; an antibody light chain, an antibody comprising a heavy chain and/or an antibody. A kit of the same monoclonal antibody or Taxilin alpha-binding fragment thereof. A method of making the Taxilin alpha. The making method requires separating the Taxilin alpha from a cell culture that expresses the Taxilin alpha.

Antibodies against citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA) have shown their relevance for the diagnosis and possibly pathogenesis in arthritis. Described are means and methods for determining antibodies against homocitrulline-containing proteins or carbamylated proteins/peptides (anti-CarP) for the classification of individuals suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, arthritis.

The present invention provides methods and compositions involving epigenetic and gene expression signatures and their association with Sjgren's syndrome.

Use of cereblon-associated proteins as biomarkers for clinical sensitivity to cancer, inflammatory diseases, and patient response to drug treatment.

The present invention provides methods and compositions involving epigenetic and gene expression signatures and their association with Sjgren's syndrome.

Provided herein are methods for diagnosing the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of vasculitis, in particular of large vessel vasculitis, like giant-cell arteritis (GCA), polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), and Takayasu's arteritis, in a subject analyzing for the presence of antibodies against ferritin, in particular heavy chain ferritin or immunoreactive peptides thereof or ferritin analog protein, preferably bacterial ferritin analog protein, or immunoreactive peptides thereof, in a subject. In addition, test kits for use in the diagnosis of the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of vasculitis, in particular of large vessel vasculitis, like GCA, PMR and Takayasu's arteritis, in a subject are also provided.

The finding that patients with Sjgren's syndrome exhibit a statistically significant increase in expression of BMP6 in the salivary gland relative to healthy control subjects is described. Also described is the finding that overexpression of BMP6 in the salivary glands of mice results in an increase in electrical potential across the salivary gland. Thus, methods of diagnosing a subject as having Sjgren's syndrome, or at risk for developing Sjgren's syndrome, by measuring the level of BMP6 expression in a salivary gland of a subject, measuring electrical potential in a salivary gland of a subject, or both, are disclosed. Also described are methods of treating a subject with Sjgren's syndrome by administering an agent that inhibits expression of BMP6 expression or activity. Further disclosed is the use of XIST and MECP2 as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for male Sjgren's syndrome patients.

The present disclosure relates to the field of molecular biology and immunology. More specifically. the present disclosure provides compositions and methods for detecting anti-Th/To autoantibodies in the serum of subject with a systemic autoimmune disease, such as systemic sclerosis (SSc).