Rheumatic antibodies may serve as indicators of disease severity, relapse frequency, and ocular involvement in NMOSD...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Ophthalmology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are autoimmune conditions affecting the central nervous system.
• Aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) is a key biomarker for NMOSD.
• The role of other autoantibodies, particularly rheumatic antibodies, in NMOSD pathogenesis and progression remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between various rheumatic antibodies and the clinical and imaging characteristics of NMOSD.
• To explore the potential of these antibodies as biomarkers for disease severity and progression.

Main Methods:

• Patients were categorized into AQP4-IgG positive NMOSD, AQP4-IgG negative NMOSD, and control groups.
• Clinical data, including demographics, disease duration, relapse history, and autoantibody status, were collected.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to assess retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular volume, with results correlated to antibody findings.

Main Results:

• In AQP4+ NMOSD patients with optic neuritis, specific antibodies correlated with OCT parameters (e.g., INF110 with dsDNA, FT with AHA).
• In AQP4-NMOSD patients, multiple antibodies (TMP 30, SUP 28, INF 110, TMV, FT) showed significant relationships with various rheumatic antibodies (e.g., PM-Scl, nRNP, AHA, PCNA).
• Significant correlations were observed between optic disc area and AMA M2 in AQP4+ NMOSD patients.

Conclusions:

• Rheumatic antibodies may serve as biomarkers for predicting the severe worsening of NMOSD.
• These findings highlight the complex interplay between autoimmune antibodies and disease manifestation in NMOSD.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which rheumatic antibodies influence NMOSD progression.