Antibody to aquaporin-4 in the long-term course of neuromyelitis optica.

Journal article

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe inflammatory CNS disorder of putative autoimmune aetiology, which predominantly affects the spinal cord and optic nerves. Recently, a highly specific serum reactivity to CNS microvessels, subpia and Virchow-Robin spaces was described in patients with NMO [called NMO-IgG (NMO-immunoglobulin G)]. Subsequently, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), the most abundant water channel in the CNS, was identified as its target antigen. Strong support for a pathogenic role of the an...

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Authors: Jarius, S; Aboul-Enein, F; Waters, P; Kuenz, B; Hauser, A

• Journal: Brain : a journal of neurology
• Volume: 131
• Issue: Pt 11
• Pages: 3072-3080
• Publication date: 2008-11-01
• DOI: 10.1093/brain/awn240
• EISSN: 1460-2156
• ISSN: 0006-8950
• Language: English
• Keywords: Azathioprine; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; Follow-Up Studies; Aquaporin 4; Biological Markers; Neuromyelitis Optica; Antigens, CD19; Adult; Middle Aged; Male; Retrospective Studies; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Autoimmune Diseases; Young Adult; Humans; Autoantibodies; Female; Lymphocyte Count; Glucocorticoids; Recurrence; Adolescent; Immunosuppressive Agents