Neurofascin as a novel target for autoantibody-mediated axonal injury

J Exp Med. 2007 Oct 1;204(10):2363-72. doi: 10.1084/jem.20071053. Epub 2007 Sep 10.

Abstract

Axonal injury is considered the major cause of disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but the underlying effector mechanisms are poorly understood. Starting with a proteomics-based approach, we identified neurofascin-specific autoantibodies in patients with MS. These autoantibodies recognize the native form of the extracellular domains of both neurofascin 186 (NF186), a neuronal protein concentrated in myelinated fibers at nodes of Ranvier, and NF155, the oligodendrocyte-specific isoform of neurofascin. Our in vitro studies with hippocampal slice cultures indicate that neurofascin antibodies inhibit axonal conduction in a complement-dependent manner. To evaluate whether circulating antineurofascin antibodies mediate a pathogenic effect in vivo, we cotransferred these antibodies with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific encephalitogenic T cells to mimic the inflammatory pathology of MS and breach the blood-brain barrier. In this animal model, antibodies to neurofascin selectively targeted nodes of Ranvier, resulting in deposition of complement, axonal injury, and disease exacerbation. Collectively, these results identify a novel mechanism of immune-mediated axonal injury that can contribute to axonal pathology in MS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoantibodies / immunology*
  • Autoantigens / immunology
  • Axons / immunology*
  • Axons / pathology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / immunology*
  • Central Nervous System / immunology
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Electrophysiology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / pathology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism
  • Nerve Growth Factors / immunology*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Autoantigens
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • NFASC protein, human
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Nfasc protein, rat