The astrocytic aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel is the target of pathogenic antibodies in a spectrum of relapsing autoimmune inflammatory central nervous system disorders of varying severity that is unified by detection of the serum biomarker neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-IgG. Neuromyelitis optica is the most severe of these disorders. The two major AQP4 isoforms, M1 and M23, have identical extracellular residues.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease mainly affecting the optic nerve and spinal cord.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-immunoglobulin G (IgG) is a clinically validated serum biomarker that distinguishes relapsing central nervous system (CNS) infl ammatory demyelinating disorders related to NMO from multiple sclerosis.
Devic neuromyelitis optica (DNMO) is a severe demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS).