Neuromyelitis optica and anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies: widening the clinical phenotype

Anti-myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein in Aquaporin-4 Negative Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

Background: The absence of Aquaporin-4 Antibody (AQP4-Ab) in a fraction of the Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) patients has led to a search for other serologic markers. Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) is a protein component of the myelin sheets encapsulating the neural fibers. Objectives: We aimed to compare the presence and levels of anti-MOG (Ig-G) in a group of s...

Anti-aquaporin-4 monoclonal antibody blocker therapy for neuromyelitis optica.

OBJECTIVE Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Circulating autoantibodies (NMO-immunoglobulin [Ig]G) against astrocyte water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) cause complement- and cell-mediated astrocyte damage with consequent neuroinflammation and demyelination. Current NMO therapies, which have limited efficacy, include immunosuppression...

Anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies in neuromyelitis optica: how to prove their pathogenetic relevance?

The discovery of a specific autoantibody response in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients, which selectively targets astrocytic end feet at the glia limitans1 and which is directed against the water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP-4)2 was a milestone in defining this disease entity and profoundly changed our view regarding its pathogenesis.3 Indirect evidence, coming from clinical observations and path...

Evaluation of Clinical Interest of Anti-Aquaporin-4 Autoantibody Followup in Neuromyelitis Optica

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disease in which a specific biomarker named NMO-IgG and directed against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) has been found. A correlation between disease activity and anti-AQP4 antibody (Ab) serum concentration or complement-mediated cytotoxicity has been reported, but the usefulness of longitudinal evaluation of these parameters remains to be evaluated in actual cli...

Antibodies to aquaporin-1 are not present in neuromyelitis optica