Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide in substantially isolated form comprising a sequence of nucleotides which is capable of selectively hybridizing to the genome of the human multiple sclerosis virus (HMSV) or the complement thereof, wherein HMSV is characterized by:(i) a positive stranded RNA genome;(ii) said genome comprising one or more open reading frames (ORF) encoding protein(s) or polyprotein(s);(iii) said genome encoding a reverse transcriptase enzyme; and(v) said genome comprising nucleotide sequences which are homologous to or selectively hybridizable with any one of the nucleotide sequences illustrated in SEQ ID NOS:1 to 6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antigens extracted from mammalian malpighian epithelia, in particular rat esophageal epithelium or human epidermis, which are specifically recognized by the autoantibodies present in patients suffering form rheumatoid arthritis in respect of antigenic determinants in common with filaggrin and human profilaggrin, as well as to the antigenic proteins of which said antigens are composed and to the peptide fragments derived therefrom. The invention relates to the use of these antigens, proteins and peptide fragments, and that of filaggrin and human profilaggrin, for the preparation of antigenic compositions, and to their applications, in particular for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The invention also relates to the preparation of antibodies directed towards these antigens, and to their applications.