Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are inflammatory autoimmune disorders of the CNS. IgG autoantibodies targeting the aquaporin-4 water channel (AQP4-IgGs) are the pathogenic effector of NMOSD. Dysregulated T follicular helper (Tfh) cells have been implicated in loss of B cell tolerance in autoimmune diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating diseases characterized by recurrent episodes of acute optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. Aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) autoantibodies, which target the water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) on astrocytic membrane, are pathogenic in NMOSD. Glutamate excitotoxicity, which is triggered by internalization of AQP4-glutamate transporter complex after AQP4-IgG binding to astrocytes, is involved in early NMOSD pathophysiologies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are central nervous system inflammatory disorders causing significant morbidities and mortality. The majority of NMOSD patients have autoimmunity against aquaporin-4 (AQP4), evidenced by seropositivity for autoantibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG). AQP4-IgG is pathogenic with neuroinflammation initiated upon binding of AQP4-IgG to astrocytic AQP4.
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