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Updated: Dec 30, 2025
Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-4
Published on: August 21, 2017
Massive activity of cytotoxic cells during refractory Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorder
Vinícius O Boldrini1, Carlos Otávio Brandão2, Maria Lucia V Pimentel3
1Autoimmune Research Lab, Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil; Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract:
Our group is interested in the cytotoxic mechanism during autoimmune neuroinflammation. Unexpectedly, we come across a case that presents a massive enhancement of cytotoxic behavior in lymphocytes, either in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Interestingly, this specific patient was refractory to Methylprednisolone treatment. Hypothetically, the cytotoxic activity could represent a novel and complementary effector mechanism to NMOSD pathogenesis. Nevertheless, further investigation is needed to evaluate the extension and the clinical relevance of our finds.
