OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical relevance of memory Th17 cells in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or multiple sclerosis (MS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The proportion of peripheral memory Th17 cells was determined by flow cytometry. Sera IL-17A and IL-23 levels were detected by ELISA kits
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are associated with anti-aquaporin-4 autoantibodies (AQP4-IgG). Limited data is available on longitudinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AQP4-IgG and their relation to disease activity and inflammatory parameters. AQP4-IgG titers were measured in matched longitudinal serum and CSF samples of 12 patients with NMOSD by an immunofluorescence assay and correlated with clinical parameters
The aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel antibody is used in the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) due to its high sensitivity and high specificity. However, some patients are reported to have neither optic neuritis nor myelitis despite being positive for the AQP4-autoantibody (AQP4-Ab). Therefore, recent reports suggest that such patients should be diagnosed as having ‘AQP4-autoimmune syndrome’.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease affecting the optic nerve and spinal cord, in which autoantibodies against aquaporin 4 (AQP4) water channel protein probably play a pathogenic role. Here we show that a B-cell subpopulation, exhibiting the CD19intCD27highCD38highCD180− phenotype, is selectively increased in the peripheral blood of NMO patients and that anti-AQP4 antibodies (AQP4-Abs) are mainly produced by these cells in the blood of these patients. These B cells showed the morphological as well as the phenotypical characteristics of plasmablasts (PB) and were further expanded during NMO relapse
For patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), there are currently six approved medications that have been shown to alter the natural course of the disease. The approved medications include three beta interferon formulations, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab and mitoxantrone.
The complement system is essential in the pathogenesis of inflammatory central nervous system disorders.
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the role of HLA-DRB1 and -DPB1 alleles in the pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis in Southern Han Chinese. METHODS: Thirty serum anti-aquaporin 4 antibodies (AQP4-Ab)-positive NMO patients, 53 conventional multiple sclerosis (C-MS) patients, and 93 controls (CTLs) were enrolled. The HLA-DRB1 and -DPB1 alleles of the subjects were determined by sequencing-based typing (SBT)
OBJECTIVE: To asses the presence of cortical demyelination in brains of patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). NMO is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease that specifically targets aquaporin-4-rich regions of the CNS. Since aquaporin-4 is highly expressed in normal cortex, we anticipated that cortical demyelination may occur in NMO
Background: Optic neuritis (ON) is a common first demyelinating event in multiple sclerosis (MS), and one of absolute clinical events to diagnose neuromyelitis optica (NMO). However, it seemed not all ON attacks are clinically evident.
Background: Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is a rare but severe disease affecting young adults with a mean age at onset of 34.5 years. The female: male ratio is 3:1 so most of patients are women of childbearing potential.
Background: Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which preferentially involves the optic nerve and the spinal cord. This is the first inflammatory disease of the CNS in which a specific antibody (NMO-IgG) has been detected.
Background: Relapsing-neuromyelitis optica (R-NMO) is the first CNS inflammatory autoimmune disease with a defined target molecule: the astrocytic water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4). We have reported structural brain abnormalities in R-NMO patients by visual analysis on MRI images