Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders – laboratory examination

Czech version

Authors: P. Nytrová ¹; V. Král ²
Authors‘ workplace: Neurologická klinika a Centrum klinických neurověd, 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze ¹; Centrum imunologie a mikrobiologie, Zdravotní ústav se sídlem v Ústí nad Labem ²
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2020; 83/116(supplementum 1): 31-36
doi: https://doi.org/10.14735/amcsnn2020S31

Overview

The assessment of neuronal antibodies improves diagnostic accuracy in a group of autoimmune disorders of the CNS. One of these examples is the detection of autoantibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG) in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). The discovery of these antibodies has improved understanding of the pathogenesis and therapeutic approach in this syndrome. Furthermore, these antibodies facilitated the differentiation between NMO and MS. The sensitivity and specificity of these antibodies increased thanks to the assessment using cell-based assays in which antigen is expressed as a native protein in a membrane of the transfected cell. This was confirmed by testing of other antibodies targeting myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, which are associated with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis or AQP4-IgG^negNMO. These autoantibodies are rarely detected in patients with MS.

Keywords:

MOG encephalomyelitis – neuromyelitis optica – antibodies to aquaporin-4 – antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein – cell-based assays

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