Abstract OBJECTIVE: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOsd) is an inflammatory and demyelinating syndrome characterized by optic neuritis and myelitis. Several magnetization transfer MRI studies have revealed abnormalities in normal-appearing gray matter in NMOsd. The aim of this study is to elucidate the characteristics and pathogenesis of cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in NMOsd brains
Pathogenic T cell responses against aquaporin 4. Pohl M , Fischer MT , Mader S , Schanda K , Kitic M , Sharma R , Wimmer I , Misu T , Fujihara K , Reindl M , Lassmann H , Bradl M . Source Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease characterized by the presence of anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies in the patient sera. We recently reported that these autoantibodies are able to bind AQP4 when organized in the supramolecular structure called the orthogonal array of particles (OAP).
Inflammatory lesions in the central nervous system of patients with neuromyelitis optica are characterized by infiltration of T cells and deposition of aquaporin-4-specific antibodies and complement on astrocytes at the glia limitans. Although the contribution of aquaporin-4-specific autoantibodies to the disease process has been recently elucidated, a potential role of aquaporin- 4-specific T cells in lesion formation is unresolved. To address this issue, we raised aquaporin-4-specific T cell lines in Lewis rats and characterized their pathogenic potential in the presence and absence of aquaporin-4-specific autoantibodies of neuromyelitis optica patients
Neuromyelitis optica is an autoimmune demyelinating disease characterized by the presence of anti aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies in the patient sera.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a devastating neuroinflammatory disorder that specifically targets the spinal cord and optic nerves. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the target of the NMO-IgG biomarker