Analysis of granulocytes in inflammatory autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26461289
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurology
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: KAWACHI Izumi 新潟大学, 医歯学総合病院, 講師 (40432083)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 視神経脊髄炎 / 多発性硬化症 / アクアポリン４水チャネル / 顆粒球系細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Accumulation of granulocytes, macrophages and tissue-resident lymphocytes was evident in early active lesions with a pattern-specific loss of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) immunoreactivities in NMOSD cases. These lesions had widespread neuroaxonal damage with axonal degenerative mitochondria, via abnormal AQP4 dynamics on astrocytes. These data suggest that unique dynamics of AQP4 autoantibodies and immune cells including granulocytes might cooperate to form massive damages of the CNS and cause severe physical and visual disabilities in NMOSD.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学, 神経病態免疫学