Induction of aquaporin 4-reactive antibodies in Lewis rats immunized with aquaporin 4 mimotopes.

ABSTRACT: Most cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) harbor pathogenic autoantibodies against the water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4). Binding of these antibodies to AQP4 on astrocytes initiates damage to these cells, which culminates in the formation of large tissue destructive lesions in the central nervous system (CNS). Consequently, untreated patients may become permanently blind or paralyzed. Studies on the induction and breakage of tolerance to AQP4 could be of great benefit for NMOSD patients. So far, however, all attempts to create suitable animal models by active sensitization have failed. We addressed this challenge and identified peptides, which mimic the conformational AQP4 epitopes recognized by pathogenic antibodies of NMOSD patients. Here we show that these mimotopes c

SUBMITTER: Tsymala I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7160927 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature