Advance in biomarkers of neuromyelitis optica

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system manifesting with optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis.Aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-IgG is currently regarded as a specific biomarker of NMO.Nevertheless, AQP4-IgG seronegativity in 10%-25% of NMO patients suggests that there are several other factors involved in NMO immunopathogenesis.In this article, we reviewed current knowledge about biomarkers of NMO from AQP4, myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, AQP1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein, providing a new insight in the diagnosis of NMO. Key words: Neuromyelitis optica; Aquaporin-4; Myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein; Aquaporin-1; Glial fibrillary acidic protein