Natural and Pathologic Autoantibodies

Detection and characterization of autoantibodies reacting with self-antigens is generally used in laboratory diagnostics. However, the presence of different autoantibodies in the blood serum doesn’t mean automatically a pathologic condition. Autoantibodies are present both in different diseases as autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation or infections, and in healthy individuals without any symptoms. The present paper discusses the detailed analysis of recognition pattern and fine epitope specificity of these autoantibodies to better understand of their occurrence and evolution, and their role in physiologic and pathologic conditions.