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著者: Wingerchuk DM, Lennon VA, Lucchinetti CF, Pittock SJ, Weinshenker BG.
雑誌名: Lancet Neurol. 2007 Sep;6(9):805-15. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(07)70216-8.
Abstract/Text
Neuromyelitis optica (also known as Devic's disease) is an idiopathic, severe, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that preferentially affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. Neuromyelitis optica has a worldwide distribution, poor prognosis, and has long been thought of as a variant of multiple sclerosis; however, clinical, laboratory, immunological, and pathological characteristics that distinguish it from multiple sclerosis are now recognised. The presence of a highly specific serum autoantibody marker (NMO-IgG) further differentiates neuromyelitis optica from multiple sclerosis and has helped to define a neuromyelitis optica spectrum of disorders. NMO-IgG reacts with the water channel aquaporin 4. Data suggest that autoantibodies to aquaporin 4 derived from peripheral B cells cause the activation of complement, inflammatory demyelination, and necrosis that is seen in neuromyelitis optica. The knowledge gained from further assessment of the exact role of NMO-IgG in the pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica will provide a foundation for rational therapeutic trials for this rapidly disabling disease.
PMID 17706564 Lancet Neurol. 2007 Sep;6(9):805-15. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(07)70216-8.
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