Intradermal AQP4 peptide immunization induces clinical features of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in mice

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology Vol. 380; p. 578109
• Main Authors: Serizawa, Kenichi, Miyake, Shota, Katsura, Yoshichika, Yorozu, Keigo, Kurasawa, Mitsue, Tomizawa-Shinohara, Haruna, Yasuno, Hideyuki, Matsumoto, Yoshihiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.07.2023
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-IL-6 receptor antibody; Aquaporin 4; Autoantibodies; IL-6; Immunization; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neuromyelitis Optica; NMOSD; Peptides; Satralizumab; Aquaporin 4; PBS; BBB; MOG; EAE; CNS; AQP4; NMOSD; IL-6; Anti-IL-6 receptor antibody; Satralizumab; GFAP; CSF; CFA; ELISA
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578109

We challenged to create a mouse model of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) induced by AQP4 peptide immunization. Intradermal immunization with AQP4 p201–220 peptide induced paralysis in C57BL/6J mice, but not in AQP4 KO mice. AQP4 peptide-immunized mice showed pathological features similar to NMOSD. Administration of anti-IL-6 receptor antibody (MR16–1) inhibited the induction of clinical signs and prevented the loss of GFAP/AQP4 and deposition of complement factors in AQP4 peptide-immunized mice. This novel experimental model may contribute to further understanding the pathogenesis of NMOSD, elucidating the mechanism of action of therapeutic agents, and developing new therapeutic approaches. [Display omitted] •Intradermal immunization with AQP4 peptide at multiple sites induced paralysis in mice.•Intradermal immunization with AQP4 peptide decreased GFAP/AQP4 expression in mice.•Intradermal immunization with AQP4 peptide induced anti-AQP4 autoantibody in mice.•Anti-IL-6 receptor antibody prevented the development of paralysis in this mouse model.