Antibodies to MOG and AQP4 in children with neuromyelitis optica and limited forms of the disease

Lechner, Christian, Baumann, Matthias, Hennes, Eva-Maria, Schanda, Kathrin, Marquard, Klaus, Karenfort, Michael, Leiz, Steffen, Pohl, Daniela, Venkateswaran, Sunita, Pritsch, Martin, Koch, Johannes, Schimmel, Mareike, Häusler, Martin, Klein, Andrea, Blaschek, Astrid, Thiels, Charlotte, Lücke, Thomas, Gruber-Sedlmayr, Ursula, Kornek, Barbara, Hahn, Andreas, Leypoldt, Frank, Sandrieser, Torsten, Gallwitz, Helge, Stoffels, Johannes, Korenke, Christoph, Reindl, Markus and Rostásy, Kevin (2016): Antibodies to MOG and AQP4 in children with neuromyelitis optica and limited forms of the disease. In: Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, Vol. 87, No. 8: pp. 897-905

Abstract

Objective To determine the frequency and clinical-radiological associations of antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in children presenting with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and limited forms. Methods Children with a first event of NMO, recurrent (RON), bilateral ON (BON), longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) or brainstem syndrome (BS) with a clinical follow-up of more than 12 months were enrolled. Serum samples were tested for MOG-and AQP4-antibodies using live cell-based assays. Results 45 children with NMO (n=12), LETM (n=14), BON (n=6), RON (n=12) and BS (n=1) were included. 25/45 (56%) children had MOG-antibodies at initial presentation (7 NMO, 4 BON, 8 ON, 6 LETM). 5/45 (11%) children showed AQP4-antibodies (3 NMO, 1 LETM, 1 BS) and 15/45 (33%) were seronegative for both antibodies (2 NMO, 2 BON, 4 RON, 7 LETM). No differences were found in the age at presentation, sex ratio, frequency of oligoclonal bands or median EDSS at last follow-up between the three groups. Children with MOG-antibodies more frequently (1) had a monophasic course (p=0.018) after one year, (2) presented with simultaneous ON and LETM (p=0.004) and (3) were less likely to receive immunosuppressive therapies (p=0.0002). MRI in MOG-antibody positive patients (4) less frequently demonstrated periependymal lesions (p=0.001), (5) more often were unspecific (p=0.004) and (6) resolved more frequently (p=0.016). Conclusions 67% of all children presenting with NMO or limited forms tested positive for MOG-or AQP4-antibodies. MOG-antibody positivity was associated with distinct features. We therefore recommend to measure both antibodies in children with demyelinating syndromes.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0022-3050
• Alliance/National Licence: This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
• Language: English