Related research progress of neuromyelitis optica / 中华眼底病杂志

ABSTRACT

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory diseases of the central nervous systems (CNS) mainly affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord.It has the characteristics of high recurrence rate and poor prognosis.NMO related optic neuritis is a common neuro-ophthalmic disease which often results in permanent visual loss or even blindness.Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody is a specific and pathogenic autoantibody in NMO patients.Although AQP4 is expressed in multiple tissues,NMO pathology is remarkably limited to the CNS.Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs are the standard managements for NMO patients,in order to reduce the relapses and the severity of the acute attack.Multiple avenues of investigation in the laboratory have significantly advanced our understanding of NMO pathophysiology,which is helpful for our understanding of immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisms.Many offer significant means for NMO therapy by selectively targeting pathways.In the future,moving these agents from the bench to the bedside offers the opportunity to identify safe and effective therapies that limit CNS injury and preserve visual function.