Abstract |
The current study presents a western blot assay showing good sensitivity (81%) and specificity (97%) for detecting serum antibodies to Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in patients with Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). By using western blot, we were able, for the first time, to distinguish serum immunoreactivity against either of the two AQP4 isoforms, showing that antibodies recognizing the linear AQP4-M1 isoform are specific for NMO. Moreover, the high sensitivity and specificity of the western blot assay in detecting serum anti-AQP4 antibodies in NMO patients suggest that such auto- antibodies may be of linear nature, thus recognizing epitopes that are displayed in denatured protein.
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Authors | Fabiana Marnetto, Bianca Hellias, Letizia Granieri, Jessica Frau, Agata Katia Patanella, Petra Nytrova, Arianna Sala, Marco Capobianco, Francesca Gilli, Antonio Bertolotto |
Journal | Journal of neuroimmunology
(J Neuroimmunol)
Vol. 217
Issue 1-2
Pg. 74-9
(Dec 10 2009)
ISSN: 1872-8421 [Electronic] Netherlands |
PMID | 19850359
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- AQP4 protein, human
- Antibodies
- Aquaporin 4
- Epitopes
- Protein Isoforms
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Animals
- Antibodies
(blood)
- Aquaporin 4
(immunology)
- Blotting, Western
(methods)
- Child
- Epitope Mapping
(methods)
- Epitopes
(immunology)
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
(methods)
- Humans
- Immunoprecipitation
(methods)
- Male
- Mice
- Middle Aged
- Multiple Sclerosis
(blood)
- Neuromyelitis Optica
(blood)
- Protein Array Analysis
(methods)
- Protein Isoforms
(immunology)
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Young Adult
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