Publications

The present invention relates to a peptide consisting of a sequence of 5 to 30, preferably 6 to 12, most preferably 10 to 12 amino acids, wherein (a) at least 2/3 of said amino acids have a functional group or side chain which is negatively charged at neutral pH; (b) amino acids which do not have a functional group or side chain which is negatively charged at neutral pH, if present, meet one or both of requirements (i) and (ii): (i) none of them has a functional group or side chain which is positively charged at neutral pH; and (ii) at least one of them has a side chain which does not bear a net charge at neutral pH or which has a functional group or side chain that does not bear a net charge at neutral pH.

The invention relates to a method for identifying markers for systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) and to the markers identified by means of said method, which can differentiate between SSc and other autoimmune diseases and between different SSc sub-groups. The invention also relates to panels, diagnostic means, and test kits which comprise said markers and to the use and application thereof, for example for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy control for SSc. The invention further relates to methods for screening and validating active ingredients for use in SSc sub-groups.