B Cells and Antibodies as Targets of Therapeutic Intervention in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders.

ABSTRACT: The first description of neuromyelitis optica by Eugène Devic and Fernand Gault dates back to the 19th century, but only the discovery of aquaporin-4 autoantibodies in a major subset of affected patients in 2004 led to a fundamentally revised disease concept: Neuromyelits optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are now considered autoantibody-mediated autoimmune diseases, bringing the pivotal pathogenetic role of B cells and plasma cells into focus. Not long ago, there was no approved medication for this deleterious disease and off-label therapies were the only treatment options for affected patients. Within the last years, there has been a tremendous development of novel therapies with diverse treatment strategies: immunosuppression, B cell depletion, complement factor antagonism and interleuki

SUBMITTER: Traub J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7825598 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature