Antibodies target microvessels in neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the presence of serum antibodies targeting microvessels in Chinese patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Methods: Serum samples were collected from 50 patients with NMO, 10 with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), 4 with recurrent optic neuritis, 42 with MS and 27 controls. Serum antibodies binding to microvessels were measured by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assay of tissue sections from the brain, stomach and pancreas, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies were detected using a cell-based assay.

Results: Indirect immunofluorescence assay of tissue sections from 42 samples (30·4%, 42/138) were positive for microvessel antibodies, where microvessel antibody positivity was 38% (19/50) in patients with NMO, 57·1% (8/14) in high-risk NMO (hrNMO), 26·2% (11/42) in MS, and 14·8% (4/27) in controls. Based on HUVEC analysis, 14 patients with NMO (28%, 14/50), 5 with hrNMO (35·7%, 5/14), 15 with MS (35·7%, 15/42), and 5 controls (18·5%, 5/27) had (AECA). Sixteen patients (32%, 16/50) with NMO, four with hrNMO (28·6%, 4/14), two with MS (4·8%, 2/42), and 0% of controls were positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANA). In MS patients, seropositive AECA MS patients had higher numbers of relapse events and increased spinal lesions than seronegative MS patients (P < 0·05).

Conclusions: Serum microvessel antibodies were present in patients with NMO and MS and the role of microvessel antibodies in diseases may be heterogeneous. This study suggests that AECA may have some significance in MS patients.     

Recent insights into the pathology of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Traditionally, demyelinating lesions in the white matter have been regarded as the most important pathological feature in MS, but recent pathological and imaging studies confirmed substantial changes in grey matter and normal-appearing white matter. MS lesions are characterized by inflammation, demyelination, axonal damage and astrogliosis. During early MS lesion formation acute axonal injury is extensive and correlates with inflammation. In addition to focal lesions, diffuse wide-spread changes including neuroaxonal degeneration and compartmentalized inflammation are likely to contribute to increasing disability in progressive MS. Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is classically characterized by severe transverse myelitis and optic neuritis, but brain lesions are also present in the majority of NMO patients. The discovery of the NMO-specific antibody demonstrated that NMO is a disease entity distinct from MS. This antibody binds to aquaporin-4 expressed in astrocytes and ependymal cells. NMO lesions are characterized by inflammation, demyelination, axonal damage and a marked loss of aquaporin-4. Early NMO lesions demonstrate a pronounced humoral inflammatory response and astrocytic cell death with loss of aquaporin-4, followed by inflammatory demyelination and axonal damage. These recent findings contribute to a better understanding of different mechanisms leading to inflammatory demyelination.     

Pruritus in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and multiple sclerosis

PurposeDifferential diagnosis between neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) at early stage remains challenging at present. Pruritus is reported as a common or specific feature in NMOSD with serum aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G antibodies (AQP4-IgG). We aim to verify whether pruritus can help in distinguishing NMOSD from MS.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of consecutive cases of NMOSD and MS patients, demographic data, clinical features, whether or not had pruritus, serum AQP4-IgG status and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results.Results21.0% (22/105) of NMOSD patients and 2.1% (2/96) of MS patients reported pruritus during disease course (p < 0.01). 20.5% (18/88) of AQP4-IgG positive and 23.5% (4/17) of AQP4-IgG negative NMOSD patients reported pruritus during disease course (p = 0.775). 12.4% (13/105) of NMOSD and 1.0% (1/96) of MS patients reported pruritus at the first attack episode of disease (p < 0.01). 20.0% (21/105) of NMOSD and 1.0% (1/96) of MS patients reported pruritus at the first and second attack episodes of disease (p < 0.01).ConclusionPruritus is a common and relatively specific feature in either AQP4-IgG positive or negative NMOSD. Pruritus occurs more frequently in NMOSD than MS, which may help in distinguishing NMOSD from MS, especially at early stage.     

吸烟与多发性硬化和视神经脊髓炎谱系疾病发病风险关联性研究

研究背景既往研究提示吸烟可以增加多发性硬化发病风险,但与视神经脊髓炎谱系疾病发病风险的关联性研究少见,本研究探讨吸烟与多发性硬化和视神经脊髓炎谱系疾病发病风险的关联性,以探讨吸烟是否增加上述两种疾病的发病风险。方法采用调查问卷和电话随访方式记录53例多发性硬化患者、62例视神经脊髓炎患者和85例正常对照者的吸烟暴露情况,包括开始吸烟年龄、吸烟持续时间、每日吸烟量和累积吸烟量,以及受试者配偶、父母是否吸烟,是否存在职业暴露。结果最终获得有效调查问卷和电话随访者156例(包括39例多发性硬化患者、43例视神经脊髓炎谱系疾病患者和74例正常对照者),与不主动吸烟者(被动吸烟和不吸烟)相比,主动吸烟者发生多发性硬化(OR=10.800,95%CI:2.202~52.975;P=0.001)和视神经脊髓炎谱系疾病(OR=5.838,95%CI:1.123~30.357;P=0.050)的风险增加;与不吸烟者相比,吸烟者(主动吸烟和被动吸烟)发生多发性硬化(OR=3.444,95%CI:1.491~7.953;P=0.003)和视神经脊髓炎谱系疾病(OR=2.370,95%CI:1.039~5.407;P=0.038)的风险增加;与男性不吸烟者相比,男性吸烟者仅多发性硬化的发病风险增加(OR=15.000,95%CI:2.239~100.483;P=0.005)。结论吸烟可以增加多发性硬化的发病风险,但是否增加视神经脊髓炎谱系疾病的发病风险尚不明确。     

视神经脊髓炎与多发性硬化的临床表现和视神经脊髓炎IgG抗体阳性率的对比

目的 比较视神经脊髓炎(NMO)和多发性硬化(MS)在临床表现、辅助检查等方面的不同;比较NMO和MS等脱髓鞘疾病患者血清NMO-IgG抗体的阳性率,判断该抗体能否作为鉴别诊断的一项实验室依据.方法 对34例NMO、22例MS、24例高危综合征、5例临床孤立综合征以及35例其他神经科疾病患者进行NMO-IgG检测,并对其中NMO、MS患者的人口学、临床表现、免疫学指标、脑脊液、头颅MRI等资料进行对比.结果 NMO的起病年龄较MS大且年龄跨度更广;从年复发率和进展指数来看,NMO更为严重,预后更差;NMO长节段脊髓损害者比MS多.NMO-IgG在NMO组和高危综合征组的阳性率分别为58.8%(20/34)和45.8%(11/24),高于MS组(1/22)、临床孤立综合征组(1/5)和其他疾病组(1/35;X2=37.2,P<0.01).NMO-IgG阳性率与脊髓病变长度相关.结论 NMO和MS在临床表现、辅助检查等方面都有所不同,提示NMO与MS可能是2种不同的疾病.NMO-IgG在NMO患者中的阳性率高于MS患者,可以作为鉴别诊断的一项实验室依据.     

Treatment of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica in children and adolescents

Paediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) accounts for up to 5% of all MS cases. No therapies have been formally approved for paediatric patients with MS. However, there is published experience on the use of disease modifying therapies in children and adolescents with MS.Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease preferentially targeting the optic nerves and spinal cord. This devastating disease usually requires preventive therapy with a range of immunosuppressive medications. There are limited studies informing the use of these medications in children with NMO. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the published literature on therapeutic interventions in children and adolescents with MS and NMO.     

视神经脊髓炎和多发性硬化患者颈髓扩散张量成像研究

目的通过扩散张量成像(DTI)比较视神经脊髓炎和多发性硬化患者与正常对照者常规MRI表现正常脊髓的扩散性差异,并探讨其临床应用价值。方法采用平面回波成像技术对10例视神经脊髓炎、14例多发性硬化患者和13例正常对照者进行颈髓DTI检查,分别测量颈椎C2~5水平前索、侧索、后索和灰质兴趣区的部分各向异性(FA)和平均扩散率(MD)。结果与正常对照组相比,视神经脊髓炎组患者前索、侧索、后索FA值降低(均P0.05),左侧侧索、后索、灰质MD值升高(均P≤0.05);多发性硬化组患者右侧侧索、后索FA值降低(均P0.05)。与多发性硬化患者相比,视神经脊髓炎患者侧索FA值更低,左侧侧索和右侧后索MD值更高(均P0.05)。结论 DTI可以检出视神经脊髓炎和多发性硬化患者常规MRI表现正常脊髓的水分子扩散异常,进而发现二者脊髓扩散指标的差异性,为早期诊断与鉴别诊断提供重要信息。     

应早期鉴别和区别治疗视神经脊髓炎与多发性硬化

视神经脊髓炎(NMO)是主要累及视神经和脊髓的中枢神经系统炎性脱髓鞘疾病。1884年首先由Devic报告,故又称为Devic’s病。在中枢神经系统炎性脱髓鞘疾病中,视神经脊髓炎在亚洲人群较为多见,而欧美人群则以经典型多发性硬化(MS)更常见。近年研究发现,中枢神经系统水通道蛋白aquaporin4(AQP4)抗体(NMOIgG)为视神经脊髓     

Dopamine favors expansion of glucocorticoid-resistant IL-17-producing T cells in multiple sclerosis

Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter produced mainly in the central nervous system (CNS) that has immunomodulatory actions on T cells. As the multiple sclerosis (MS) has long been regarded as an autoimmune disease of CNS mediated by T cells, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of DA on in vitro functional status of T cells from relapsing–remitting (RR)–MS patients. Peripheral T-cells from RR–MS patients were activated by mitogens and cell proliferation and cytokine production were assayed by [³H]-thymidine uptake and ELISA, respectively. Our results demonstrated that DA enhanced in vitro T cell proliferation and Th17-related cytokines in MS-derived cell cultures. In addition, this catecholamine reduced Treg-related cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β) release by activated CD4⁺ T cells. These DA-induced effects on T cells were mainly dependent on IL-6 production by both polyclonally-activated CD4⁺ T cells and LPS-stimulated monocytes. Furthermore, the production of IL-17 and IL-6 by MS-derived T cells was directly related with neurological disability (EDSS score), and the release of these cytokines was less sensitive to glucocorticoid inhibition in MS patients than in control group, mainly after DA addition. In conclusion, our data suggest that DA amplifies glucocorticoid-resistant Th17 phenotype in MS patients, and this phenomenon could be, at least in part, due to its ability to induce IL-6 production by monocytes and CD4⁺ T cells.     

Seroprevalence of NMO-IgG among patients with neuromyelitis optica and opticospinal multiple sclerosis

Objectives

In this study we sought to compare the seropositivity of NMO-IgG in patients presenting with demyelinative involvement of optic nerve and spinal cord with and without longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesion (LESCL).

Methods

Patients who were referred to Isfahan Multiple Sclerosis Clinic and Isfahan Devic's Disease Clinic at Al-Zahra Hospital in Iran were screened for this study. Patients with signs and symptoms indicating the demyelinating involvement of optic nerve(s) and spinal cord were included. Patients were evaluated by a neurologist and spinal cord and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were obtained. Patients with normal first brain MRI and with spinal cord demyelinative lesions visible on spinal MRI were included. Patients were then put into two groups: (i) patients with LESCL [neuromyelitis optica (NMO)] and (ii) patients with spinal plaques which do not extend over three vertebrae [opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS)]. NMO-IgG was measured in the serum of the included patients.

Results

Totally we recruited 33 patients with LESCL and 32 patients without LESCL. The mean age of patients without LESCL was 34.61 ± 10.98 and it was 33.48 ± 11.93 for the NMO patients. In both groups there were 24 females and the rest were males. Among the NMO patients 16 (48.5%) were positive for NMO-IgG, while in the OSMS group there were none.

Conclusion

The results of this study are in line with previous observations, and imply that the presence of LESCL is associated with the presence of NMO-IgG and thus an indicator of NMO.     

Characterization of the T cell receptor repertoire in the Japanese neuromyelitis optica: T cell activity is up-regulated compared to multiple sclerosis

To characterize T cell immunity in Japanese neuromyelitis optica (NMO), we examined the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in NMO patients with complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) spectratyping and compared the results with those from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and healthy subjects. Both NMO and MS patients had a larger number of clonally expanded Vbeta genes than healthy subjects. Moreover, NMO patients had a significantly larger number of expanded Vbetas than MS patients. The detailed analysis revealed that Vbeta1 and Vbeta13 were significantly activated in NMO than MS. These results reflected unique pathophysiology of Japanese NMO, which is distinguishable from that of MS. Furthermore, longitudinal examinations of the TCR repertoire demonstrated that the number of clonally expanded Vbetas in NMO correlates with the Kurtzke Expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Although the activation pattern of the TCR repertoire in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) was similar to that in NMO, secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients with longer disease durations and higher EDSS scores consistently had a smaller number of clonally expanded Vbetas than RRMS patients. Detailed TCR investigations will provide useful information to evaluate the clinical and immunological status of NMO and MS and to develop effective immunotherapies.     

水通道蛋白4启动子基因多态性与多发性硬化、视神经脊髓炎遗传易患性的关系

目的 探讨水通道蛋白4(AQP4)启动子区基因多态性与我国南方多发性硬化(MS)、视神经脊髓炎(NMO)患者血清抗AQP4抗体水平及遗传易患性的关系.方法 收集18例NMO、38例MS、13例复发性脊髓炎(RM)、6例复发性视神经炎(RON)患者及39名对照,PCR扩增AQP4外显子0及外显子1启动子基因(即AQP4-promoter0和AQP4-promoter 1),并行DNA测序.结果 共发现14个AQP4-promoter0及6个AQP4-promoter 1基因多态性位点.血清抗AQP4抗体阳性患者AQP4-promoter 0中-1003 bp多态性位点(A突变为G)发生率比血清抗AQP4抗体阴性患者(13/18与20/45,P=0.046)及对照组(13/18与10/39,P=0.001)高,差异有统计学意义.血清抗AQP4抗体阳性患者及血清抗AQP4抗体阴性患者AQP4-promoter 1中- 401 bp与-400 bp之间多态性位点(插入1个C)发生率均比对照组高(5/16与0/28,P=0.008; 8/38与0/28,P=0.027),差异有统计学意义.NMO及MS患者-1003bp多态性位点及-401 bp与-400 bp之间多态性位点发生率均比对照组高,差异有统计学意义(NMO:11/18与10/39,P=0.010;4/15与0/28,P=0.020;MS:19/38与10/39,P=0.027;8/34与0/28,P=0.018).结论 AQP4启动子区基因存在多态性位点,且与NMO、MS易患性有一定的关系;AQP4外显子0启动子中- 1003 bp多态性位点可能与血清抗AQP4抗体的出现有关.     

CD8 high CD11b low T cells (T suppressor-effectors) in multiple sclerosis cerebrospinal fluid are increased during high dose corticosteroid treatment

Using simultaneous dual direct immunofluorescence the effect of high dose intravenous methylprednisolone on the expression of T lymphocyte differentiation antigens in paired cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood samples of nine clinically active patients with multiple sclerosis was studied. Corticosteroid treatment was associated with a clinical improvement in eight out of the nine patients. In cerebrospinal fluid of all patients the treatment was associated with a decrease of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and of intra-central nervous system IgG synthesis. CD8+ high CD11b+ low suppressor-effector T cells behaved differently in the eight patients who improved with treatment, where they significantly increased, and in the patient without clinical response, where they were almost unchanged. Similar phenotypic changes were found in peripheral blood, and all changes returned towards baseline after treatment. The lower sensitivity to corticosteroids of CD8+ high CD11b+ low T cells could change the balance between immunoregulatory T subsets. In this study the increased availability of a subpopulation mainly composed of T cells with a suppressor-effector function was associated with a clinical response to treatment.     

Comparison of olfactory function between neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis

Objectives: Olfactory dysfunction (ODF) has been reported in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the comparison of olfactory function and olfactory-related gray matter (GM) between patients with NMO and MS needed to be further elucidated.

Materials and methods: Thirty-seven patients with NMO and 37 with MS were enrolled. Olfactory function was evaluated with a Japanese T&T olfactometer test kit, and the neuroanatomical features of olfactory-related GM were assessed using voxel-based morphometry.

Results: Olfactory deficits were found in 51.4% of patients with NMO and 40.5% of patients with MS. Patients with NMO with ODF had significantly smaller olfactory bulbs than patients with MS with ODF (p = 0.031). Olfactory-related GM atrophy was found in patients with NMO in several regions of the right orbitofrontal cortex and right superior frontal gyrus; in patients with MS, reduced GM volume was found in the right parahippocampal gyrus and piriform cortex (p < 0.05, cluster size > 200 voxels).

Conclusions: Olfactory deficits are common in both NMO and MS. However, the neuroanatomical features related to olfactory deficits differ greatly between the two diseases.     

视神经脊髓炎与多发性硬化的临床症状、脊髓MRI表现的对比分析

目的 结合视神经脊髓炎(NMO)与多发性硬化(MS)患者的临床症状和脊髓MRI特点探讨两者之间差异发生的机制.方法 回顾性分析中山大学附属第三医院自2004年1月至2007年1月收治的23例NMO患者及21例MS患者的临床资料,比较其临床症状及脊髓MRI上受损部位MRI上的差异.结果 NMO患者多为女性,且首次发病年龄、扩展病残状况评分(EDSS)评分均高于MS患者;双侧深感觉障碍、束带感、直肠或膀胱括约肌功能障碍3种临床症状在NMO、MS患者中的发生率不同,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);上述各临床症状基本能在脊髓MRI找到相应受损病灶.结论 NMO是不同于MS的脱髓鞘疾病,其特殊的发病机制导致其临床症状与脊髓MRI均有自己的特点.     

急性播散性脑脊髓炎、多发性硬化及视神经脊髓炎脑深部灰质病灶MRI影像比较

目的 探讨并比较急性播散性脑脊髓炎(ADEM)、多发性硬化(MS)及视神经脊髓炎(NMO)脑深部灰质病灶的MRI影像学特征. 方法 自2004年8月至2012年10月在中山大学附属第三医院神经内科住院的ADEM、MS、NMO患者共353例,筛选出其中MRI显示有脑深部灰质病灶者95例(包括ADEM 12例,MS 60例,NMO 23例),对这些病灶的大小、数量、部位等特征进行分析. 结果 3组患者丘脑、尾状核、苍白球受累的病例数比例比较差异均无统计学意义(P=0.154,P=0.438,P=0.697).ADEM组壳核受累的病例数比例明显高于MS组、NMO组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.002,P=0.013).NMO组下丘脑受累的病例数比例则明显高于ADEM组、MS组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.033,P=0.001).ADEM组丘脑的病灶直径明显大于NMO组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.027),但和MS组相比差异无统计学意义(P=0.116),而MS组和NMO组丘脑的病灶直径比较差异亦无统计学意义(P=0.209).3组尾状核、壳核、苍白球、下丘脑的病灶直径比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).3组的病灶分布对称性比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.335). 结论 丘脑受累对于ADEM和MS的鉴别诊断可能意义不大,壳核受累可能是将ADEM区别于MS和NMO的一个鉴别点,下丘脑受累是NMO的特异性表现.病灶直径大小在这三种疾病的鉴别诊断中价值不大.     

Differentiation between multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders by multiparametric quantitative MRI using convolutional neural network

Multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are both neuroinflammatory diseases and have overlapping clinical manifestations. We developed a convolutional neural network model that differentiates between the two based on magnetic resonance imaging data. Thirty-five patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and eighteen age-, sex-, disease duration-, and Expanded Disease Status Scale-matched patients with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders were included in this study. All patients were scanned on a 3-T scanner using a multi-dynamic multi-echo sequence that simultaneously measures R1 and R2 relaxation rates and proton density. R1, R2, and proton density maps were analyzed using our convolutional neural network model. To avoid overfitting on a small dataset, we aimed to separate features of images into those specific to an image and those common to the group, based on SqueezeNet. We used only common features for classification. Leave-one-out cross validation was performed to evaluate the performance of the model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the developed convolutional neural network model for differentiating between the two disorders was 0.859. The sensitivity to multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, and accuracy were 80.0%, 83.3%, and 81.1%, respectively. In conclusion, we developed a convolutional neural network model that differentiates between multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, and which is designed to avoid overfitting on small training datasets. Our proposed algorithm may facilitate a differential diagnosis of these diseases in clinical practice.     

Th17 cells in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a review

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has been identified as a central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune inflammatory disorder, which has been recognized as a B cell-mediated humoral immune disease. However, cases have been reported indicating that some of the neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients have been resistant to B cell-related treatments. Recently, more and more evidence has shown that T cell-mediated immunity may take part in the pathogenesis of NMOSD, especially in the Th17 phenotype. In our PUBMED search, we used the following keywords: Th17 cell, Th17 cell-related cytokines, T cells, B cells, B cell-related productions, NMO, NMOSD, recurrent/bilateral optic neuritis, recurrent transverse myelitis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. We systemically reviewed the role of Th17 cells and Th17 cell-related cytokines in NMOSD. We found that Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23 and TGF-β, are not only directly involved in the pathogenesis but also collaborated with B cells and B cell-related antibody production to induce CNS lesions. Th17 cell-related therapy has also been reviewed in this article, and the data suggested that Th17 may be a new therapeutic target of NMOSD.     

Isolation and characterization of CD8+ regulatory T cells in multiple sclerosis

To investigate CD8+ regulatory T cell influence on multiple sclerosis development, peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CD8+ T cell clones (TCCs) recognizing MBP_83–102 and MOG_63–87-specific CD4+ T cells were isolated from 20 patients during acute exacerbations, 15 in remission and 15 controls. Blood and CSF CD8+ regulatory TCC cloning frequency decreased more during exacerbations than remissions or controls. Target cell pre-activation significantly enhanced CD8+ T granule-mediated cell killing of CD4+ targets, and was restricted by HLA-E. During exacerbations, killer-inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A expression was significantly higher in CD8+ TCCs, limiting their cytotoxic activity. Moreover, IL-15 and IFN-γ significantly increased CD94 and NKG2A expression. These data provide evidence that CD94/NKG2A receptors play an important role in regulating T cell activity during the course of MS.