The first section of this volume provides well structured protocols for autoantibody detection. Step-by-step procedures are accompanied by explanatory notes and comments, clear diagrams, line illustrations and excellent photo illustrations. Extensive literature references lead the way to further background information. The methods presented were validated by more than 40 leading laboratories active in sera analysis, which indicates that these methods have been found to be practically useful and lead to consistent inter-laboratory results: consensus in autoantibody detection. The second section contains the a compilation of full, detailed information on autoantigens related to important autoimmune diseases. The chapters are all structured according to an easy-reference fixed template structure: specific detection methods, cellular localization, biochemical characteristics, function, cDNA and derived amino acid sequence, gene structure, B- and T-cell epitopes and lists of published monoclonal antibodies. The text is enhanced by many schematic figures and photo illustrations. As in Section A, extensive literature references are provided. The information for this section was brought together by leading experts in their fields. This Manual is intended as a reference book for bench scientists working in the field of autoimmunity, but also for rheumatologists, general (internal medicine) physicians or clinical immunologists caring for patients with autoimmune disorders.