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Journal article

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody production from germinal center reactions

Abstract:

Introduction: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-antibody encephalitis is mediated by IgG-autoantibodies directed against the NR1-subunit of the NMDAR. Around 20% of patients have an underlying ovarian teratoma, and the condition responds to early immunotherapies and ovarian teratoma removal. However, despite clear therapeutic relevance, mechanisms of NR1-IgG production and the contribution of germinal center B cells to NR1-IgG levels are unknown.

Methods: Clinical data and longitudinal paired serum NR1-reactive IgM and IgG levels from ten patients with NMDAR-antibody encephalitis were determined. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these ten patients, and two available ovarian teratomas, were stimulated with combinations of immune factors, and tested for secretion of total IgG and NR1-antibodies.

Results: In addition to disease-defining NR1-IgG, serum NR1-IgM were found in 6/10 patients. NR1-IgM levels were typically highest around disease onset, and detected for several months into the disease course. Moreover, circulating patient B cells were differentiated into CD19+CD27++CD38++ antibody-secreting cells in vitro and, in 90% of patients, secreted NR1-IgM and NR1-IgG. Secreted levels of NR1-IgG correlated with serum NR1-IgG (p<0.0001) and this was observed across the varying disease durations, suggestive of an ongoing process. Furthermore, ovarian teratoma tissue contained infiltrating lymphocytes which produced NR1-IgG in culture.

Interpretation: Persistent serum NR1-IgM and NR1-IgG, alongside the consistent production of NR1-IgG from circulating B cells and from ovarian teratomas suggest ongoing germinal center-reactions may account for the peripheral cell populations which secrete NR1-IgG. Cells participating in germinal center reactions might be a therapeutic target for the treatment of NMDAR-antibody encephalitis.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1002/ana.25173

Authors

More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
Clinical Neurosciences
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
Clinical Neurosciences
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
Clinical Neurosciences
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
Clinical Neurosciences
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
Clinical Neurosciences
Role:
Author


More from this funder
Funding agency for:
Irani, S
Grant:
MS-Research Society Award
More from this funder
Funding agency for:
Irani, S
Grant:
MS-Research Society Award
More from this funder
Funding agency for:
Irani, S
Grant:
MS-Research Society Award
More from this funder
Funding agency for:
Al-Diwani, A
Irani, S
Grant:
205126/Z/16/Z
MS-Research Society Award


Publisher:
Wiley
Journal:
Annals of Neurology More from this journal
Volume:
83
Issue:
3
Pages:
553-561
Publication date:
2018-02-06
Acceptance date:
2018-02-02
DOI:
EISSN:
1531-8249
ISSN:
0364-5134


Pubs id:
pubs:822994
UUID:
uuid:27f15b5a-1f25-4343-b0fb-39dbaf9d312a
Local pid:
pubs:822994
Deposit date:
2018-02-06
ARK identifier:

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