Circulating AQP4-specific auto-antibodies alone can induce neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in the rat.

ABSTRACT: It is well established that the binding of pathogenic aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-specific autoantibodies to astrocytes may initiate a cascade of events culminating in the destruction of these cells and in the formation of large tissue-destructive lesions typical for patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). To date, not a single experimental study has shown that the systemic presence of the antibody alone can induce any damage to the central nervous system (CNS), while pathological studies on brains of NMOSD patients suggested that there might be ways for antibody entry and subsequent tissue damage. Here, we systemically applied a highly pathogenic, monoclonal antibody with high affinity to AQP4 over prolonged period of time to rats, and show that AQP4-abs can enter the CNS on

SUBMITTER: Hillebrand S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6514074 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature