Anti-BiP antibody levels in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)

We have previously described the human heat shock protein BiP (immunoglobulin binding protein; glucose regulated protein 78) as an autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis [1]. Antibodies to BiP have been described in the serum of RA patients by ourselves and other groups [2, 3] and we have recently described anti-BiP antibodies in the synovial fluid of RA patients and the serum of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome [3]. Moreover anti-BiP antibodies have been shown to be elevated in animal models of arthritis [1].