Myositis-specific autoantibodies: overview and recent developments

Myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) are found in almost half the patien ts with an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). Several clinical and epi demiological studies have suggested that MSAs are associated with specific clinical characteristics. Some of these associations are well-defined and a re of clinical significance (eg, anti-Jo-1 and the anti-synthetase syndrome ), others are less well established and can cause unnecessary anxiety for b oth patients and physicians (eg, anti-SRP and cardiac involvement). In this review, an overview is given of the various MSAs, their biochemical backgr ound, their clinical usefulness, and the promises they hold for a better un derstanding of IIM. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2001, 13:476-482 (C) 2001 Lippincot t Williams & Wilkins, Inc.