[Autoimmune Nodopathy]

Brain Nerve. 2024 May;76(5):534-539. doi: 10.11477/mf.1416202640.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Autoimmune nodopathy (AN), a newly established category of autoimmune disease, refers to an immune-mediated neuropathy associated with development of autoantibodies against membrane proteins, including neurofascin 186, neurofascin 155, contactin-1, and contactin-associated protein 1 located in the nodes of Ranvier or paranodes. Subclass analysis of these autoantibodies reveals predominant elevation of immunoglobulin (G4. Patients with AN show clinical and laboratory characteristics such as distal-predominant sensorimotor disturbance, sensory ataxia, poor response to intravenous immunoglobulin, and highly elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein levels. B cell-depletion therapy using an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody is effective for patients with AN. Autoantibody measurement is beneficial not only for diagnosis but also for deciding treatment strategies for AN.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies* / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / therapy
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / therapy
  • Humans