Biomarkers of Inflammatory Arthritis and Proteomics

Autoimmune diseases are systemic and organ–specific inflammatory conditions involving a cell-mediated immune response against self tissues. Whilst it is known that they are charac‐ terized by autoantibodies in both the systemic fluid and tissues [1, 2], the detailed aetiology and pathogenesis of auto-immune diseases are still poorly understood [3, 4]. These types of diseases occur when self molecules, often unknown antigens (auto-antigens), are seen by the immune system as non-self and are thereby attacked immunologically by the production of autoantibodies against them. In this process, the immune system mistakenly reacts with the body’s own cellular gears as if they were foreign antigens. The clinical presentations of autoimmune diseases vary with the disease course and delay in diagnosis as well as inappropri‐ ate therapy, increases tissue damage [3, 5].