Autoantibodies are antibodies that react with self-antigens. These antigens may be found in all cell types (e.g. chromatin, centromeres) or be highly specific for a specific cell type in one organ of the body (e.g. thyroglobulin in cells of the thyroid gland).

What are some examples of autoantigens?

There are also examples of viral proteins binding to autoantigens. For example, p53 has been described as an autoantigen in several autoimmune diseases, including lupus and scleroderma (82-84). p53 is a target of many viral proteins, including SV40 large T antigen (85), and HPV16/18 E6 proteins (86).

What produced autoantibodies?

Autoantibodies are antibodies (immune proteins) that mistakenly target and react with a person's own tissues or organs. One or more autoantibodies may be produced by a person's immune system when it fails to distinguish between “self” and “non-self.”