Abstract: This disclosure relates to the field of diagnostic methods. A new marker antibody for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as a new method for detecting rheumatoid arthritis, is disclosed herein. Also provided herein are means and methods for predicting whether a subject will develop rheumatoid arthritis. This disclosure is based on the discovery that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have antibodies in their circulation that react specifically with citrullinated antibodies. In one aspect, the disclosure, therefore, relates to an antibody comprising a citrulline residue. In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method for the detection of antibodies specific for rheumatoid arthritis in a sample from a subject, wherein the sample is contacted with a citrullinated antibody and wherein it is determined whether the sample comprises antibodies specifically reactive with the citrullinated antibody.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the field of diagnostic methods. A new marker antibody for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as a new method for detecting rheumatoid arthritis, is disclosed herein. Also provided herein are means and methods for predicting whether a subject will develop rheumatoid arthritis. This disclosure is based on the discovery that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have antibodies in their circulation that react specifically with citrullinated antibodies. In one aspect, the disclosure, therefore, relates to an antibody comprising a citrulline residue. In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method for the detection of antibodies specific for rheumatoid arthritis in a sample from a subject, wherein the sample is contacted with a citrullinated antibody and wherein it is determined whether the sample comprises antibodies specifically reactive with the citrullinated antibody.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of diagnostic assays, more in particular immunoassays wherein a capture molecule is immobilized on a solid support in order to capture an analyte. The invention relates to a method for the immobilization of a capture molecule on a solid support wherein the capture molecule is covalently attached to a biotin molecule to obtain a biotinylated capture molecule and wherein the biotinylated capture molecule is subsequently contacted with a high affinity binding member to form an capture molecule complex where after the capture molecule complex is contacted with the solid support.