We examined a cohort of adults with aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody–negative neuromyelitis optica/neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMO/NMOSD) for antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG).
We performed a flow cytometry cell-based assay using live human lentivirus–transduced cells expressing full-length surface MOG. Serum was tested in 23 AQP4 antibody–negative NMO/NMOSD patients with bilateral and/or recurrent optic neuritis (BON, n = 11), longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM, n = 10), and sequential BON and LETM (n = 2), as well as in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS, n = 76) and controls (n = 52).
MOG antibodies were detected in 9/23 AQP4 antibody–negative patients with NMO/NMOSD, compared to 1/76 patients with MS and 0/52 controls ( p < 0.001). MOG antibodies were detected in 8/11 patients with BON, 0/10 patients with LETM, and 1/2 patients with sequential BON and LETM. Six of 9 MOG antibody–positive patients had a relapsing course. MOG antibody–positive patients had prominent optic disc swelling and were more likely to have a rapid response to steroid therapy and relapse on steroid cessation than MOG antibody–negative patients ( p = 0.034 and p = 0.029, respectively). While 8/9 MOG antibody–positive patients had good follow-up visual acuity, one experienced sustained visual impairment, 3 had retinal nerve fiber layer thinning, and one had residual spinal disability.
MOG antibodies have a strong association with BON and may be a useful clinical biomarker. MOG antibody–associated BON is a relapsing disorder that is frequently steroid responsive and often steroid dependent. Failure to recognize the disorder early and institute immunotherapy promptly may be associated with sustained impairment.
1. Commercial - Genzyme scientific advisory board 2. Commercial - Novartis scientific advisory board
1. Commercial - Honoraria from Biogen for educational meetings 2. Commercial - Honoraria from Genzyme/Sanofi for educational meetings 3. Commercial - Honoraria from Merck Serono for educational meetings.
Multiple sclerosis research Australia Neil and Norma Hill inaugural junior practitioner fellowship
1.Novartis, scientific advisory board 2.Genzyme-Sanofi, scientific advisory board
1. Novartis, Research Grant support 2. Genzyme-Sanofi, Research Grant Support 3. Bio-CSL, Research Grant Support
1. NSW Government (Australia), Paul Brock Fellowship, 2012- 2014
1. Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia, principal investigator 2009-2011
1. Genzyme, funding for travel to the AAN annual meeting 2014 2. BioCSL, funding for travel to the ECTRIMS annaul meeting 2013 3. Biogen Idec, funding for travel to the AAN annual meeting 2013 4. Novartis, funding for travel to the PACTRIMS annual meeting 2012
Genzyme, speaker honoraria Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, Sanofi Aventis, and Pfizer.
Pfizer, Research Grant on Amyloidosis (not related to this work)
National Health Medical Research Council, Australia (NHMRC), APP1049936, CI, 2013-2015 NHMRC, APP1050074, CI, 2013-2015 NHMRC,APP1065157, CI, 2014-2016 NHMRC,APP1067209, CI, 2014-2016
Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia (MSRA) Senior Research Fellowship (2010-2014) MSRA, APP10-029, 2011-2013 the Australian Research Council, Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia, and the Leukemia foundation
Queensland Children's Medical Institute Research advisory committee. Not for profit.
Editorial advisory board member of MSARD Editorial board member of Neurology: Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation Editorial board member of European Journal of Paediatric Neurology
NHMRC national grant in 2011 national grant for encephalitis study NHMRC practitioner fellowship 2014-8
(1)Journal of Visualized Experiments, associate editor, 1 year, no compensation received
(1) The Star Scientific Foundation Australia (2) The Trish Multiple Sclerosis Foundation Australia (3) Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia (4) Multiple Sclerosis Angels Melbourne Australia (5) Petre Foundation Australia
Go to Neurology.org/nn for full disclosures. Funding information and disclosures deemed relevant by the authors, if any, are provided at the end of the article. The Article Processing Charge was paid by the authors.
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