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Published on: November 25, 2020
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NMOSD IgG Impact Retinal Cells in Murine Retinal Explants
Hannah Nora Wolf1, Veronika Ehinger1, Larissa Guempelein1
1Department of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
|September 27, 2023
Summary
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) IgG may cause retinal degeneration independent of relapse activity. This suggests NMOSD involves primary retinopathy due to anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies affecting retinal cells.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Ophthalmology
- Central Nervous System Disorders
Background:
- Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are chronic CNS inflammatory diseases.
- Autoantibodies against aquaporin-4 are characteristic of NMOSD.
- Retinal neuroaxonal degeneration in NMOSD may occur independently of relapse activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of NMOSD immunoglobulins (IgG) on mouse retinal explants.
- To explore the potential mechanisms of retinal degeneration in NMOSD.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of mouse retinal explants with purified IgG from NMOSD patients and controls.
- Analysis of morphological changes, chemokine secretion, and complement expression.
- Ex vivo study of cellular responses to IgG.
Main Results:
- NMOSD IgG, but not control IgG, increased gliosis in retinal explants.
- NMOSD IgG decreased the release of specific chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CXCL-10).
- Complement component expression remained unchanged by either IgG fraction.
Conclusions:
- Human NMOSD IgG can interact with the mouse retina, altering the cellular environment.
- This intraretinal stress may contribute to NMOSD-related retinal degeneration.
- The findings suggest NMOSD may involve a primary retinopathy.
