Recent findings in dermatomyositis-specific autoantibodies

Abstract

Recently, new autoantibodies specific for dermatomyositis have been identified, including anti-melanoma differentiation antigen 5 antibody, anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1 antibody, and anti-nuclear matrix protein 1 antibody, in addition to those described previously such as anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase antibodies and anti-Mi-2 antibody. These disease-specific autoantibodies cover approximately 80% of the patients, and thus are useful for the diagnosis. Moreover, these antibodies are closely associated with specific disease phenotypes, and enable us to predict complications and prognosis and to evaluate disease activity.