Brain Advance Access originally published online on February 4, 2007
Brain 2007 130(5):1194-1205; doi:10.1093/brain/awl371
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pattern-specific loss of aquaporin-4 immunoreactivity distinguishes neuromyelitis optica from multiple sclerosis
Departments of 1Neurology, 2Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and 3Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA, 4Center for the Clinical Trials Network, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 5Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Scottsdale, AZ, USA, 6Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria and 7Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Multiple Sclerosis Research, Georg-August University, Gottingen, Germany
Correspondence to: Claudia F. Lucchinetti, MD, Neurology, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, 200 First St. SW, Rochester MN 55905, USA E-mail: lucchinetti.claudia{at}mayo.edu
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease that typically affects optic nerves and spinal cord. Its pathogenic relationship to multiple sclerosis (MS) is uncertain. Unlike MS, NMO lesions are characterized by deposits of IgG and IgM co-localizing with products of complement activation in a vasculocentric pattern around thickened hyalinized blood vessels, suggesting a pathogenic role for humoral immunity targeting an antigen in the perivascular space. A recently identified specific serum autoantibody biomarker, NMO-IgG, targets aquaporin-4 (AQP4), the most abundant water channel protein in the CNS, which is highly concentrated in astrocytic foot processes. We analysed and compared patterns of AQP4 immunoreactivity in CNS tissues of nine patients with NMO, 13 with MS, nine with infarcts and five normal controls. In normal brain, optic nerve and spinal cord, the distribution of AQP4 expression resembles the vasculocentric pattern of immune complex deposition observed in NMO lesions. In contrast to MS lesions, which exhibit stage-dependent loss of AQP4, all NMO lesions demonstrate a striking loss of AQP4 regardless of the stage of demyelinating activity, extent of tissue necrosis, or site of CNS involvement. We identified a novel NMO lesion in the spinal cord and medullary tegmentum extending into the area postrema, characterized by AQP4 loss in foci that were inflammatory and oedematous, but neither demyelinated nor necrotic. Foci of AQP4 loss coincided with sites of intense vasculocentric immune complex deposition. These findings strongly support a role for a complement activating AQP4-specific autoantibody as the initiator of the NMO lesion, and further distinguish NMO from MS.
Key Words: neuromyelitis optica; aquaporin-4; multiple sclerosis; demyelination; astrocyte; bloodbrain barrier
Abbreviations: AQP4, aquaporin-4; HIVE, human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis; GFAP, glial fibrillary acidic protein; NMO, Neuromyelitis optica; PML, progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy
Received August 25, 2006. Revised November 3, 2006. Accepted December 12, 2006.
![]()
CiteULike
Connotea
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
A. Rossi, F. Pisani, G. P. Nicchia, M. Svelto, and A. Frigeri Evidences for a Leaky Scanning Mechanism for the Synthesis of the Shorter M23 Protein Isoform of Aquaporin-4: IMPLICATION IN ORTHOGONAL ARRAY FORMATION AND NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA ANTIBODY INTERACTION J. Biol. Chem., February 12, 2010; 285(7): 4562 - 4569. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Saadoun, P. Waters, B.A. Bell, A. Vincent, A. S. Verkman, and M. C. Papadopoulos Intra-cerebral injection of neuromyelitis optica immunoglobulin G and human complement produces neuromyelitis optica lesions in mice Brain, January 28, 2010; (2010): awp309v2 - awp309. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A Petzold, S Pittock, V Lennon, C Maggiore, B G Weinshenker, and G T Plant Neuromyelitis optica-IgG (aquaporin-4) autoantibodies in immune mediated optic neuritis J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, January 1, 2010; 81(1): 109 - 111. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Aboul-Enein, M. Krssak, R. Hoftberger, D. Prayer, and W. Kristoferitsch Diffuse White Matter Damage Is Absent in Neuromyelitis Optica AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., January 1, 2010; 31(1): 76 - 79. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. Guimaraaes Brum, A. A. Barreira, A. C. dos Santos, D. R. Kaimen-Maciel, M. Matiello, R. M. Costa, N. H. Saloun Deghaide, L. Silva Costa, P. Louzada-Junior, P. R. Beserra Diniz, et al. HLA-DRB association in neuromyelitis optica is different from that observed in multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, January 1, 2010; 16(1): 21 - 29. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Reuss, M. Bolz, and U. K Zettl Commentary: Managing clinicians' assessment BMJ, December 10, 2009; 339(dec10_2): b5177 - b5177. [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
K. Yanagawa, I. Kawachi, Y. Toyoshima, A. Yokoseki, M. Arakawa, A. Hasegawa, T. Ito, N. Kojima, R. Koike, K. Tanaka, et al. Pathologic and immunologic profiles of a limited form of neuromyelitis optica with myelitis Neurology, November 17, 2009; 73(20): 1628 - 1637. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C-P Lo, H-W Kao, S-Y Chen, C-J Hsueh, W-C Lin, W-L Hsu, D-K Wu, and G-C Liu Prediction of conversion from clinically isolated syndrome to clinically definite multiple sclerosis according to baseline MRI findings: comparison of revised McDonald criteria and Swanton modified criteria J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, October 1, 2009; 80(10): 1107 - 1109. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. Kale, S. J. Pittock, V. A. Lennon, K. Thomsen, S. Roemer, A. McKeon, and C. F. Lucchinetti Humoral Pattern II Multiple Sclerosis Pathology Not Associated With Neuromyelitis Optica IgG Arch Neurol, October 1, 2009; 66(10): 1298 - 1299. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A J Green and B A C Cree Distinctive retinal nerve fibre layer and vascular changes in neuromyelitis optica following optic neuritis J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, September 1, 2009; 80(9): 1002 - 1005. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. McKeon, J. P. Fryer, M. Apiwattanakul, V. A. Lennon, S. R. Hinson, T. J. Kryzer, C. F. Lucchinetti, B. G. Weinshenker, D. M. Wingerchuk, E. A. Shuster, et al. Diagnosis of Neuromyelitis Spectrum Disorders: Comparative Sensitivities and Specificities of Immunohistochemical and Immunoprecipitation Assays Arch Neurol, September 1, 2009; 66(9): 1134 - 1138. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. R. Hinson, A. McKeon, J. P. Fryer, M. Apiwattanakul, V. A. Lennon, and S. J. Pittock Prediction of Neuromyelitis Optica Attack Severity by Quantitation of Complement-Mediated Injury to Aquaporin-4-Expressing Cells Arch Neurol, September 1, 2009; 66(9): 1164 - 1167. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. M. Magana, S. J. Pittock, V. A. Lennon, B. M. Keegan, B. G. Weinshenker, and C. F. Lucchinetti Neuromyelitis Optica IgG Serostatus in Fulminant Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelinating Disease Arch Neurol, August 1, 2009; 66(8): 964 - 966. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T Matsushita, N Isobe, T Matsuoka, N Shi, Y Kawano, X. Wu, T Yoshiura, Y Nakao, T Ishizu, and J. Kira Aquaporin-4 autoimmune syndrome and anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-negative opticospinal multiple sclerosis in Japanese Multiple Sclerosis, July 1, 2009; 15(7): 834 - 847. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Nishiyama, T. Ito, T. Misu, T. Takahashi, A. Kikuchi, N. Suzuki, K. Jin, M. Aoki, K. Fujihara, and Y. Itoyama A case of NMO seropositive for aquaporin-4 antibody more than 10 years before onset Neurology, June 2, 2009; 72(22): 1960 - 1961. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S Viegas, A Weir, M Esiri, W Kuker, P Waters, M I Leite, A Vincent, and J Palace Symptomatic, radiological and pathological involvement of the hypothalamus in neuromyelitis optica J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, June 1, 2009; 80(6): 679 - 682. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M Nakamura, T Misu, K Fujihara, I Miyazawa, I Nakashima, T Takahashi, S Watanabe, and Y Itoyama Occurrence of acute large and edematous callosal lesions in neuromyelitis optica Multiple Sclerosis, June 1, 2009; 15(6): 695 - 700. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T Misu, R Takano, K Fujihara, T Takahashi, S Sato, and Y Itoyama Marked increase in cerebrospinal fluid glial fibrillar acidic protein in neuromyelitis optica: an astrocytic damage marker J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, May 1, 2009; 80(5): 575 - 577. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. T. Naismith, N. T. Tutlam, J. Xu, E. C. Klawiter, J. Shepherd, K. Trinkaus, S. K. Song, and A. H. Cross Optical coherence tomography differs in neuromyelitis optica compared with multiple sclerosis Neurology, March 24, 2009; 72(12): 1077 - 1082. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H Doi, T Matsushita, N Isobe, T Matsuoka, M Minohara, H Ochi, and J. Kira Hypercomplementemia at relapse in patients with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody Multiple Sclerosis, March 1, 2009; 15(3): 304 - 310. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. M. Magana, M. Matiello, S. J. Pittock, A. McKeon, V. A. Lennon, A. A. Rabinstein, E. Shuster, O. H. Kantarci, C. F. Lucchinetti, and B. G. Weinshenker Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders Neurology, February 24, 2009; 72(8): 712 - 717. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Gotkine A Case of Neuromyelitis Optica With Gadolinium-Enhancing Brain Lesions and Parinaud Syndrome--Reply Arch Neurol, January 1, 2009; 66(1): 140 - 141. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Jarius, F. Aboul-Enein, P. Waters, B. Kuenz, A. Hauser, T. Berger, W. Lang, M. Reindl, A. Vincent, and W. Kristoferitsch Antibody to aquaporin-4 in the long-term course of neuromyelitis optica Brain, November 1, 2008; 131(11): 3072 - 3080. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. R. Hinson, S. F. Roemer, C. F. Lucchinetti, J. P. Fryer, T. J. Kryzer, J. L. Chamberlain, C. L. Howe, S. J. Pittock, and V. A. Lennon Aquaporin-4-binding autoantibodies in patients with neuromyelitis optica impair glutamate transport by down-regulating EAAT2 J. Exp. Med., October 27, 2008; 205(11): 2473 - 2481. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Vincent, P. Saikali, R. Cayrol, A. D. Roth, A. Bar-Or, A. Prat, and J. P. Antel Functional Consequences of Neuromyelitis Optica-IgG Astrocyte Interactions on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability and Granulocyte Recruitment J. Immunol., October 15, 2008; 181(8): 5730 - 5737. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. Merle, S. Olindo, A. Donnio, R. Richer, D. Smadja, and P. Cabre Retinal Peripapillary Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Neuromyelitis Optica Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., October 1, 2008; 49(10): 4412 - 4417. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T Takahashi, I Miyazawa, T Misu, R Takano, I Nakashima, K Fujihara, M Tobita, and Y Itoyama Intractable hiccup and nausea in neuromyelitis optica with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody: a herald of acute exacerbations J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, September 1, 2008; 79(9): 1075 - 1078. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. C. Lu, H. Zhang, Z. Zador, and A. S. Verkman Impaired olfaction in mice lacking aquaporin-4 water channels FASEB J, September 1, 2008; 22(9): 3216 - 3223. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. McKeon, V. A. Lennon, T. Lotze, S. Tenenbaum, J. M. Ness, M. Rensel, N. L. Kuntz, J. P. Fryer, H. Homburger, J. Hunter, et al. CNS aquaporin-4 autoimmunity in children Neurology, July 8, 2008; 71(2): 93 - 100. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Okamoto, M. Ogawa, Youwei Lin, M. Murata, S. Miyake, and T. Yamamura Review: Treatment of neuromyelitis optica: Current debate Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, July 1, 2008; 1(1): 43 - 52. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. Waters, S. Jarius, E. Littleton, M. I. Leite, S. Jacob, B. Gray, R. Geraldes, T. Vale, A. Jacob, J. Palace, et al. Aquaporin-4 Antibodies in Neuromyelitis Optica and Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis Arch Neurol, July 1, 2008; 65(7): 913 - 919. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Giovannoni To test or not to test: NMO-IgG and optic neuritis Neurology, June 3, 2008; 70(23): 2192 - 2193. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Hudson, C. Mowbray, J. L. Elson, A. Jacob, M. Boggild, A. Torroni, and P. F. Chinnery Does mitochondrial DNA predispose to neuromyelitis optica (Devic's disease)? Brain, April 1, 2008; 131(4): e93 - e93. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Eichel, Z. Meiner, O. Abramsky, and M. Gotkine Acute Disseminating Encephalomyelitis in Neuromyelitis Optica: Closing the Floodgates Arch Neurol, February 1, 2008; 65(2): 267 - 271. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. J. Pittock, V. A. Lennon, J. de Seze, P. Vermersch, H. A. Homburger, D. M. Wingerchuk, C. F. Lucchinetti, H. Zephir, K. Moder, and B. G. Weinshenker Neuromyelitis Optica and Non Organ-Specific Autoimmunity Arch Neurol, January 1, 2008; 65(1): 78 - 83. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. C. Glisson and S. L. Galetta Is Neuromyelitis Optica Eyeing a Distinct Path From Multiple Sclerosis? Arch Ophthalmol, January 1, 2008; 126(1): 128 - 129. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. E. Benarroch Aquaporin-4, homeostasis, and neurologic disease Neurology, December 11, 2007; 69(24): 2266 - 2268. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. R. Hinson, S. J. Pittock, C. F. Lucchinetti, S. F. Roemer, J. P. Fryer, T. J. Kryzer, and V. A. Lennon Pathogenic potential of IgG binding to water channel extracellular domain in neuromyelitis optica Neurology, December 11, 2007; 69(24): 2221 - 2231. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Compston Complexity and heterogeneity in demyelinating disease Brain, May 1, 2007; 130(5): 1178 - 1180. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||













