title: Where Do AQP4 Antibodies Fit in the Pathogenesis of NMO?
abstract: Recent advances in the field of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) research provided convincing evidence that anti-AQP4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) not only serves as a highly specific disease marker, but also plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Although it is now widely recognized that AQP4-Ab induces astrocytic necrosis in a complement-dependent manner, additional triggers are also suspected as a prerequisite for the development of the disease. Unraveling these unresolved aspects of the disease will provide substantial insight into still controversial issues in the pathogenesis of NMO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, D4, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakatsuji