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Effector Functions of Antiaquaporin‐4 Autoantibodies in Neuromyelitis Optica
Author(s) -
Cayrol Romain,
Saikali Philippe,
Vincent Thierry
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04871.x
Subject(s) - neuromyelitis optica , autoantibody , aquaporin 4 , effector , immunology , antibody , astrocyte , water channel , oligodendrocyte , pathophysiology , pathological , neuroscience , pathology , medicine , biology , myelin , central nervous system , mechanical engineering , engineering , inlet
NMO‐IgG autoantibody is now considered a useful serum biomarker of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). A series of clinical and pathological observations suggest that NMO‐IgG may play a central role in NMO physiopathology. Although the exact role and function of NMO‐IgG in vivo remain to be determined, recent reports suggest that this antibody that targets the aquaporin‐4 (AQP‐4) water channel expressed by astrocytes is able to destabilize the blood–brain barrier and contribute to astrocyte and oligodendrocyte damage. This review summarizes the latest molecular effector functions attributed to the NMO‐IgG/anti‐AQP4 antibody and discusses their potential role in NMO pathology.