Journal Article

DZNE-2026-00917

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Antibodies against MLC1 found in patients with NMOSD-like disease mediate astrocytopathy in rodent models.

Wong, H. K. ; Ho, S. ; Yu, Q. ; Given, K. S. ; Shqau, D. ; Baier, S. ; Winklmeier, S. ; Rübsamen, H. ; Kendirli, A. ; Schanda, K. ; Oswald, E. ; Bräuer, K. ; Thaler, F. S. ; Gerdes, L. A. ; Feederle, R.DZNE* ; Kerschensteiner, M. ; Reindl, M. ; Khademi, M. ; Piehl, F. ; Olsson, T. ; Bennett, J. L. ; Kümpfel, T. ; Kawakami, N. ; Bradl, M. ; Meinl, E. ; Mader, S.

2026
AAAS Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.ady0403

Abstract: The identification of autoantibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) has been essential in distinguishing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) from classical multiple sclerosis (MS), with important implications for treatment. However, for several patients within this disease spectrum, the target of the autoimmune response remains unknown. Here, we describe the modulator of VRAC current 1 (MLC1), a membrane protein with extracellular epitopes enriched at astrocytic end feet, as an autoantigen. Serum MLC1 antibodies were verified with a cell-based assay, identifying four MLC1 immunoglobulin G (IgG)-positive patients among 297 patients with inflammatory autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system who were screened. All four MLC1 IgG-positive patients exhibited overlapping yet atypical clinical features of MS and NMOSD and tested negative for AQP4 and MOG antibodies. Moreover, treatment with a monoclonal MLC1 antibody induced astrocytopathy in mouse cerebellar slice cultures and in a rat encephalitis model. Thus, MLC1 antibodies identify a subset of patients with an NMOSD-like phenotype, underscoring their potential as a disease marker with pathogenic relevance.

Keyword(s): Animals (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Neuromyelitis Optica: immunology (MeSH) ; Neuromyelitis Optica: blood (MeSH) ; Neuromyelitis Optica: pathology (MeSH) ; Astrocytes: pathology (MeSH) ; Astrocytes: immunology (MeSH) ; Autoantibodies: immunology (MeSH) ; Autoantibodies: blood (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Disease Models, Animal (MeSH) ; Immunoglobulin G: blood (MeSH) ; Immunoglobulin G: immunology (MeSH) ; Membrane Proteins: immunology (MeSH) ; Mice (MeSH) ; Aquaporin 4: immunology (MeSH) ; Rats (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein: immunology (MeSH) ; Adult (MeSH) ; Multiple Sclerosis: immunology (MeSH) ; Autoantigens: immunology (MeSH) ; Middle Aged (MeSH) ; Autoantibodies ; Immunoglobulin G ; Membrane Proteins ; Aquaporin 4 ; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein ; Autoantigens

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Antibody Production (AG Feederle)

Research Program(s):

1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Essential Science Indicators ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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