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Engler-Chiurazzi E. B cells and the stressed brain: emerging evidence of neuroimmune interactions in the context of psychosocial stress and major depression. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1360242. [PMID: 38650657 PMCID: PMC11033448 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1360242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The immune system has emerged as a key regulator of central nervous system (CNS) function in health and in disease. Importantly, improved understanding of immune contributions to mood disorders has provided novel opportunities for the treatment of debilitating stress-related mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder (MDD). Yet, the impact to, and involvement of, B lymphocytes in the response to stress is not well-understood, leaving a fundamental gap in our knowledge underlying the immune theory of depression. Several emerging clinical and preclinical findings highlight pronounced consequences for B cells in stress and MDD and may indicate key roles for B cells in modulating mood. This review will describe the clinical and foundational observations implicating B cell-psychological stress interactions, discuss potential mechanisms by which B cells may impact brain function in the context of stress and mood disorders, describe research tools that support the investigation of their neurobiological impacts, and highlight remaining research questions. The goal here is for this discussion to illuminate both the scope and limitations of our current understanding regarding the role of B cells, stress, mood, and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Engler-Chiurazzi
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Research Center, Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
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2
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Shang H, Shen X, Yu X, Zhang J, Jia Y, Gao F. B-cell targeted therapies in autoimmune encephalitis: mechanisms, clinical applications, and therapeutic potential. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1368275. [PMID: 38562943 PMCID: PMC10982343 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1368275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) broadly refers to inflammation of the brain parenchyma mediated by autoimmune mechanisms. In most patients with AE, autoantibodies against neuronal cell surface antigens are produced by B-cells and induce neuronal dysfunction through various mechanisms, ultimately leading to disease progression. In recent years, B-cell targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, have been widely used in autoimmune diseases. These therapies decrease autoantibody levels in patients and have shown favorable results. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying these two B-cell targeted therapies and discusses their clinical applications and therapeutic potential in AE. Our research provides clinicians with more treatment options for AE patients whose conventional treatments are not effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haodong Shang
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- BGI College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xinru Shen
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- BGI College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Yu
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- BGI College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- BGI College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yongliang Jia
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- BGI College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- BGI College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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3
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Gong X, Ma Y, Deng X, Li A, Li X, Kong X, Liu Y, Liu X, Guo K, Yang Y, Li Z, Wei H, Zhou D, Hong Z. Intestinal dysbiosis exacerbates susceptibility to the anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis-like phenotype by changing blood brain barrier permeability and immune homeostasis. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 116:34-51. [PMID: 38030048 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in the intestinal microbiota have been observed in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (NMDARE). However, whether and how the intestinal microbiota is involved in the pathogenesis of NMDARE susceptibility needs to be demonstrated. Here, we first showed that germ-free (GF) mice that underwent fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from NMDARE patients, whose fecal microbiota exhibited low short-chain fatty acid content, decreased abundance of Lachnospiraceae, and increased abundance of Verrucomicrobiota, Akkermansia, Parabacteroides, Oscillospirales, showed significant behavioral deficits. Then, these FMT mice were actively immunized with an amino terminal domain peptide from the GluN1 subunit (GluN1356-385) to mimic the pathogenic process of NMDARE. We found that FMT mice showed an increased susceptibility to an encephalitis-like phenotype characterized by more clinical symptoms, greater pentazole (PTZ)-induced susceptibility to seizures, and higher levels of T2 weighted image (T2WI) hyperintensities following immunization. Furthermore, mice with dysbiotic microbiota had impaired blood-brain barrier integrity and a proinflammatory condition. In NMDARE-microbiota recipient mice, the levels of Evan's blue (EB) dye extravasation increased, ZO-1 and claudin-5 expression decreased, and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α and LPS) increased. Finally, significant brain inflammation, mainly in hippocampal and cortical regions, with modest neuroinflammation, immune cell infiltration, and reduced expression of NMDA receptors were observed in NMDARE microbiota recipient mice following immunization. Overall, our findings demonstrated that intestinal dysbiosis increased NMDARE susceptibility, suggesting a new target for limiting the occurrence of the severe phenotype of NMDARE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Gong
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Technology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology, Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 611730, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yaru Ma
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Technology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaolin Deng
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Technology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology, Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 611730, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Aiqing Li
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Technology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology, Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 611730, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xingjie Li
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Technology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology, Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 611730, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xueying Kong
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Technology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology, Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 611730, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Technology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology, Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 611730, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Technology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology, Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 611730, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Kundian Guo
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Technology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology, Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 611730, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuting Yang
- Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Zhongxin Li
- Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Hong Wei
- Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Dong Zhou
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Technology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology, Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 611730, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhen Hong
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Institute of Brain Science and Brain-inspired Technology of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology, Chengdu Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 611730, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Sperber PS, Gebert P, Broersen LH, Kufner A, Huo S, Piper SK, Teegen B, Heuschmann PU, Prüss H, Endres M, Liman TG, Siegerink B. Depressive symptoms and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor GluN1 antibody seropositivity in the PROSpective cohort with incident stroke. Brain Behav Immun Health 2023; 34:100705. [PMID: 38033615 PMCID: PMC10684375 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Anti-NMDA-receptor GluN1 antibodies (NMDAR1-abs) are present in an autoimmune encephalitis with severe neuropsychiatric symptoms. We aimed to estimate the impact of serum NMDAR1-abs on depressive symptoms years after first-ever ischemic stroke (IS). Methods Data were used from the PROSpective Cohort with Incident Stroke-Berlin (PROSCIS-B; NCT01363856). Serum NMDAR1-abs (IgM/IgA/IgG) were measured within 7 days after IS using cell-based assays. We defined seropositivity as titers ≥1:10, thereof low titers as ≤1:100 and high titers as >1:100. We used the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale to measure depressive symptoms at year one, two and three following IS. We calculated crude and confounder adjusted weighted generalized linear models to quantify the impact of NMDAR1-abs on CES-D assessed at three annual time-points. Results NMDAR1-abs were measured in 583 PROSCIS-B IS patients (mean age = 67 [SD = 13]; 42%female; median NIHSS = 2 [IQR = 1-4]) of whom 76 (13%; IgM: n = 49/IgA: n = 43/IgG: n = 2) were seropositive, 55 (9%) with low and 21 (4%) with high titers. CES-D regarded over all follow-up time-points was higher in seropositive patients (βcrude = 2.56 [95%CI = -0.34 to 5.45]; βadjusted = 2.26 [95%CI = -0.68 to 5.20]) and effects were highest in patients with high titer (low titers: βcrude = 1.42 [95%CI = -1.79 to 4.62], βadjusted = 0.53 [95%CI = -2.47 to 3.54]; high titers: βcrude = 5.85 [95%CI = 0.20 to 11.50]; βadjusted = 7.20 [95%CI = 0.98 to 13.43]). Conclusion Patients with serum NMDAR1-abs (predominantly IgM&IgA) suffer more severe depressive symptoms after mild-to-moderate IS compared to NMDAR1-abs seronegative patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia S. Sperber
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin & Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Pimrapat Gebert
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Leonie H.A. Broersen
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Kufner
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Berlin, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shufan Huo
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin & Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie K. Piper
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Medical Informatics, Germany
| | - Bianca Teegen
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, EUROIMMUN AG, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Peter U. Heuschmann
- University of Würzburg, Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, Würzburg, Germany
- University Hospital Würzburg, Clinical Trial Center Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Harald Prüss
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease DZNE, Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Endres
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin & Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease DZNE, Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas G. Liman
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Carl von Ossietzky-University, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Oldenburg, Department of Neurology, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Bob Siegerink
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Granerod J, Huang Y, Davies NWS, Sequeira PC, Mwapasa V, Rupali P, Michael BD, Solomon T, Easton A. Global Landscape of Encephalitis: Key Priorities to Reduce Future Disease Burden. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 77:1552-1560. [PMID: 37436770 PMCID: PMC10686956 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Encephalitis affects people across the lifespan, has high rates of mortality and morbidity, and results in significant neurological sequelae with long-term consequences to quality of life and wider society. The true incidence is currently unknown due to inaccurate reporting systems. The disease burden of encephalitis is unequally distributed across the globe being highest in low- and middle-income countries where resources are limited. Here countries often lack diagnostic testing, with poor access to essential treatments and neurological services, and limited surveillance and vaccination programs. Many types of encephalitis are vaccine preventable, whereas others are treatable with early diagnosis and appropriate management. In this viewpoint, we provide a narrative review of key aspects of diagnosis, surveillance, treatment, and prevention of encephalitis and highlight priorities for public health, clinical management, and research, to reduce the disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Granerod
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Dr JGW Consulting Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Yun Huang
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Infection, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Victor Mwapasa
- University of Malawi, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Priscilla Rupali
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Benedict D Michael
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Infection, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Solomon
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Infection, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- The Pandemic Institute, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ava Easton
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- The Encephalitis Society, Malton, United Kingdom
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Daguano Gastaldi V, Bh Wilke J, Weidinger CA, Walter C, Barnkothe N, Teegen B, Luessi F, Stöcker W, Lühder F, Begemann M, Zipp F, Nave KA, Ehrenreich H. Factors predisposing to humoral autoimmunity against brain-antigens in health and disease: Analysis of 49 autoantibodies in over 7000 subjects. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 108:135-147. [PMID: 36323361 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating autoantibodies (AB) against brain-antigens, often deemed pathological, receive increasing attention. We assessed predispositions and seroprevalence/characteristics of 49 AB in > 7000 individuals. METHODS Exploratory cross-sectional cohort study, investigating deeply phenotyped neuropsychiatric patients and healthy individuals of GRAS Data Collection for presence/characteristics of 49 brain-directed serum-AB. Predispositions were evaluated through GWAS of NMDAR1-AB carriers, analyses of immune check-point genotypes, APOE4 status, neurotrauma. Chi-square, Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression analyses were used. RESULTS Study of N = 7025 subjects (55.8 % male; 41 ± 16 years) revealed N = 1133 (16.13 %) carriers of any AB against 49 defined brain-antigens. Overall, age dependence of seroprevalence (OR = 1.018/year; 95 % CI [1.015-1.022]) emerged, but no disease association, neither general nor with neuropsychiatric subgroups. Males had higher AB seroprevalence (OR = 1.303; 95 % CI [1.144-1.486]). Immunoglobulin class (N for IgM:462; IgA:487; IgG:477) and titers were similar. Abundant were NMDAR1-AB (7.7 %). Low seroprevalence (1.25 %-0.02 %) was seen for most AB (e.g., amphiphysin, KCNA2, ARHGAP26, GFAP, CASPR2, MOG, Homer-3, KCNA1, GLRA1b, GAD65). Non-detectable were others. GWAS of NMDAR1-AB carriers revealed three genome-wide significant SNPs, two intergenic, one in TENM3, previously autoimmune disease-associated. Targeted analysis of immune check-point genotypes (CTLA4, PD1, PD-L1) uncovered effects on humoral anti-brain autoimmunity (OR = 1.55; 95 % CI [1.058-2.271]) and disease likelihood (OR = 1.43; 95 % CI [1.032-1.985]). APOE4 carriers (∼19 %) had lower seropositivity (OR = 0.766; 95 % CI [0.625-0.933]). Neurotrauma predisposed to NMDAR1-AB seroprevalence (IgM: OR = 1.599; 95 % CI [1.022-2.468]). CONCLUSIONS Humoral autoimmunity against brain-antigens, frequent across health and disease, is predicted by age, gender, genetic predisposition, and brain injury. Seroprevalence, immunoglobulin class, or titers do not predict disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Daguano Gastaldi
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Justus Bh Wilke
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cosima A Weidinger
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carolin Walter
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nadine Barnkothe
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bianca Teegen
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, Affiliated to Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Felix Luessi
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN) and Immunotherapy (FZI), Rhine‑Main Neuroscience Network (rmn2), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Winfried Stöcker
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, Affiliated to Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Fred Lühder
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Research, University Medical Center, of the Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Begemann
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frauke Zipp
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN) and Immunotherapy (FZI), Rhine‑Main Neuroscience Network (rmn2), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Klaus-Armin Nave
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hannelore Ehrenreich
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, City Campus, Göttingen, Germany.
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Ehrenreich H, Gastaldi VD, Wilke JBH. Quo Vaditis Anti-Brain Autoantibodies: Causes, Consequences, or Epiphenomena? Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:254-255. [PMID: 35902135 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hannelore Ehrenreich
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Vinicius Daguano Gastaldi
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Justus B H Wilke
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
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8
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NMDAR1 autoantibodies amplify behavioral phenotypes of genetic white matter inflammation: a mild encephalitis model with neuropsychiatric relevance. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4974-4983. [PMID: 34866134 PMCID: PMC9763107 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01392-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Encephalitis has an estimated prevalence of ≤0.01%. Even with extensive diagnostic work-up, an infectious etiology is identified or suspected in <50% of cases, suggesting a role for etiologically unclear, noninfectious processes. Mild encephalitis runs frequently unnoticed, despite slight neuroinflammation detectable postmortem in many neuropsychiatric illnesses. A widely unexplored field in humans, though clearly documented in rodents, is genetic brain inflammation, particularly that associated with myelin abnormalities, inducing primary white matter encephalitis. We hypothesized that "autoimmune encephalitides" may result from any brain inflammation concurring with the presence of brain antigen-directed autoantibodies, e.g., against N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor NR1 (NMDAR1-AB), which are not causal of, but may considerably shape the encephalitis phenotype. We therefore immunized young female Cnp-/- mice lacking the structural myelin protein 2'-3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (Cnp) with a "cocktail" of NMDAR1 peptides. Cnp-/- mice exhibit early low-grade inflammation of white matter tracts and blood-brain barrier disruption. Our novel mental-time-travel test disclosed that Cnp-/- mice are compromised in what-where-when orientation, but this episodic memory readout was not further deteriorated by NMDAR1-AB. In contrast, comparing wild-type and Cnp-/- mice without/with NMDAR1-AB regarding hippocampal learning/memory and motor balance/coordination revealed distinct stair patterns of behavioral pathology. To elucidate a potential contribution of oligodendroglial NMDAR downregulation to NMDAR1-AB effects, we generated conditional NR1 knockout mice. These mice displayed normal Morris water maze and mental-time-travel, but beam balance performance was similar to immunized Cnp-/-. Immunohistochemistry confirmed neuroinflammation/neurodegeneration in Cnp-/- mice, yet without add-on effect of NMDAR1-AB. To conclude, genetic brain inflammation may explain an encephalitic component underlying autoimmune conditions.
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Hansen N. NMDAR autoantibodies in psychiatric disease - An immunopsychiatric continuum and potential predisposition for disease pathogenesis. J Transl Autoimmun 2022; 5:100165. [PMID: 36176328 PMCID: PMC9513762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2022.100165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Niels Hansen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Translational Psychoneuroscience, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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Deutsch NR, Worthmann H, Steixner-Kumar AA, Schuppner R, Grosse GM, Pan H, Gabriel MM, Hasse I, van Gemmeren T, Lichtinghagen R, Ehrenreich H, Weissenborn K. Autoantibodies against the NMDAR subunit NR1 are associated with neuropsychiatric outcome after ischemic stroke. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 96:73-79. [PMID: 34010714 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Preexisting autoantibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor subunit NR1 (NMDAR1-AB) in acute ischemic stroke patients with previously intact blood-brain-barrier were associated with smaller evolution of lesion size. Effects of chronic exposure to NMDAR1-AB long after stroke, however, have remained unclear. We investigated in a prospective follow-up study whether long-term neuropsychiatric outcome after stroke differs depending on NMDAR1-AB status. METHODS Blood samples for NMDAR1-AB analysis were collected within 24 h after ischemic stroke from n = 114 patients. Outcome was assessed 1-3 years later using NIHSS, modified Rankin-scale, Barthel-Index, RBANS (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status) subcategories (immediate/delayed memory, attention, visuoconstruction), anamnesis evaluating neuropsychiatric symptoms (e.g. hallucinations, psychomotor slowing, reduced alertness, depressiveness, fatigue) and questionnaires (Beck's Depression Inventory-BDI, Fatigue Impact Scale-FIS). Scores were generated to cover RBANS plus neuropsychiatric symptoms (Score A; n = 96) or only neuropsychiatric symptoms (Score B; n = 114, including patients unable to conduct RBANS). Depression/fatigue were measured in patients, capable to perform questionnaires (n = 86). RESULTS NMDAR1-AB (IgM, IgA, IgG) were detected in n = 27 patients (23.7%). NMDAR1-AB seropositive patients showed inferior results in Score A (p = 0.006), Score B (p = 0.004), BDI (p = 0.013) and FIS (p = 0.018), compared to seronegative patients. Multiple regression analysis including covariates age, NIHSS at day 7 post-stroke, and days from stroke to follow-up, showed NMDAR1-AB seropositivity associated with worse outcome in Scores A (b: 1.517, 95%CI: 0.505-2.529, p = 0.004) and B (b: 0.803, 95%CI: 0.233-1.373; p = 0.006). Also FIS was unfavorably associated with NMDAR1-AB seropositivity (binary logistic regression: OR: 3.904, 95%CI: 1.200-12.695; p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS Even though the numbers of included patients are low, our data apparently indicate that NMDAR1-AB seropositivity at the time point of acute ischemic stroke is associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms including cognitive dysfunction and fatigue years after stroke. Preclinical proof of a causal relation provided, targeted immunosuppression may be a future prophylactic option to be clinically evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine R Deutsch
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans Worthmann
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Agnes A Steixner-Kumar
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ramona Schuppner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Gerrit M Grosse
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Hong Pan
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maria M Gabriel
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Isabel Hasse
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Till van Gemmeren
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ralf Lichtinghagen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Hannelore Ehrenreich
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Karin Weissenborn
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
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Pollak TA, Vincent A, Iyegbe C, Coutinho E, Jacobson L, Rujescu D, Stone J, Jezequel J, Rogemond V, Jamain S, Groc L, David A, Egerton A, Kahn RS, Honnorat J, Dazzan P, Leboyer M, McGuire P. Relationship Between Serum NMDA Receptor Antibodies and Response to Antipsychotic Treatment in First-Episode Psychosis. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:9-15. [PMID: 33536130 PMCID: PMC8191702 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When psychosis develops in NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antibody encephalitis, it usually has an acute or subacute onset, and antipsychotic treatment may be ineffective and associated with adverse effects. Serum NMDAR antibodies have been reported in a minority of patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP), but their role in psychosis onset and response to antipsychotic treatment is unclear. METHODS Sera from 387 patients with FEP (duration of psychosis <2 years, minimally or never treated with antipsychotics) undergoing initial treatment with amisulpride as part of the OPTiMiSE (Optimization of Treatment and Management of Schizophrenia in Europe) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01248195) were tested for NMDAR IgG antibodies using a live cell-based assay. Symptom severity was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale at baseline and again after 4 weeks of treatment with amisulpride. RESULTS At baseline, 15 patients were seropositive for NMDAR antibodies and 372 were seronegative. The seropositive patients had similar symptom profiles and demographic features to seronegative patients but a shorter duration of psychosis (median 1.5 vs. 4.0 months; p = .031). Eleven seropositive and 284 seronegative patients completed 4 weeks of amisulpride treatment: after treatment, there was no between-groups difference in improvement in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores or in the frequency of adverse medication effects. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that in FEP, NMDAR antibody seropositivity alone is not an indication for using immunotherapy instead of antipsychotic medications. Further studies are required to establish what proportion of patients with FEP who are NMDAR antibody seropositive have coexisting cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory changes or other paraclinical evidence suggestive of a likely benefit from immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Pollak
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Angela Vincent
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Conrad Iyegbe
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ester Coutinho
- Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Leslie Jacobson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - James Stone
- Department of Neuroimaging, Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julie Jezequel
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Veronique Rogemond
- Rare Disease Reference Center on Autoimmune Encephalitis, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Institut NeuroMyoGene Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1217/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University Claude Bernard, Universite de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Stephane Jamain
- Psychiatry and Addictology Department (DMU IMPACT), University Paris Est Créteil, Hopitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, L'Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Créteil, France
| | - Laurent Groc
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anthony David
- Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Egerton
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rene S Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jerome Honnorat
- Rare Disease Reference Center on Autoimmune Encephalitis, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Institut NeuroMyoGene Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1217/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University Claude Bernard, Universite de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Paola Dazzan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marion Leboyer
- Psychiatry and Addictology Department (DMU IMPACT), University Paris Est Créteil, Hopitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, L'Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Créteil, France; Translational Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U955, Créteil, France; FondaMental Foundation, Créteil, France
| | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's Health Partners, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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12
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Autoantibodies against NMDA receptor 1 modify rather than cause encephalitis. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7746-7759. [PMID: 34331009 PMCID: PMC8872987 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01238-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The etiology and pathogenesis of "anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis" and the role of autoantibodies (AB) in this condition are still obscure. While NMDAR1-AB exert NMDAR-antagonistic properties by receptor internalization, no firm evidence exists to date that NMDAR1-AB by themselves induce brain inflammation/encephalitis. NMDAR1-AB of all immunoglobulin classes are highly frequent across mammals with multiple possible inducers and boosters. We hypothesized that "NMDAR encephalitis" results from any primary brain inflammation coinciding with the presence of NMDAR1-AB, which may shape the encephalitis phenotype. Thus, we tested whether following immunization with a "cocktail" of 4 NMDAR1 peptides, induction of a spatially and temporally defined sterile encephalitis by diphtheria toxin-mediated ablation of pyramidal neurons ("DTA" mice) would modify/aggravate the ensuing phenotype. In addition, we tried to replicate a recent report claiming that immunizing just against the NMDAR1-N368/G369 region induced brain inflammation. Mice after DTA induction revealed a syndrome comprising hyperactivity, hippocampal learning/memory deficits, prefrontal cortical network dysfunction, lasting blood brain-barrier impairment, brain inflammation, mainly in hippocampal and cortical regions with pyramidal neuronal death, microgliosis, astrogliosis, modest immune cell infiltration, regional atrophy, and relative increases in parvalbumin-positive interneurons. The presence of NMDAR1-AB enhanced the hyperactivity (psychosis-like) phenotype, whereas all other readouts were identical to control-immunized DTA mice. Non-DTA mice with or without NMDAR1-AB were free of any encephalitic signs. Replication of the reported NMDAR1-N368/G369-immunizing protocol in two large independent cohorts of wild-type mice completely failed. To conclude, while NMDAR1-AB can contribute to the behavioral phenotype of an underlying encephalitis, induction of an encephalitis by NMDAR1-AB themselves remains to be proven.
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Ehrenreich H, Wilke J, Steixner-Kumar AA. Spontaneous serum autoantibody fluctuations: To be or not to be. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1723-1725. [PMID: 32968237 PMCID: PMC8440174 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00883-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hannelore Ehrenreich
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Justus Wilke
- grid.419522.90000 0001 0668 6902Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Agnes A. Steixner-Kumar
- grid.419522.90000 0001 0668 6902Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
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14
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Clinical, cognitive and neuroanatomical associations of serum NMDAR autoantibodies in people at clinical high risk for psychosis. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:2590-2604. [PMID: 33077853 PMCID: PMC8440194 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00899-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Serum neuronal autoantibodies, such as those to the NMDA receptor (NMDAR), are detectable in a subgroup of patients with psychotic disorders. It is not known if they are present before the onset of psychosis or whether they are associated with particular clinical features or outcomes. In a case-control study, sera from 254 subjects at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis and 116 healthy volunteers were tested for antibodies against multiple neuronal antigens implicated in CNS autoimmune disorders, using fixed and live cell-based assays (CBAs). Within the CHR group, the relationship between NMDAR antibodies and symptoms, cognitive function and clinical outcomes over 24 month follow-up was examined. CHR subjects were not more frequently seropositive for neuronal autoantibodies than controls (8.3% vs. 5.2%; OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 0.58-3.90). The NMDAR was the most common target antigen and NMDAR IgGs were more sensitively detected with live versus fixed CBAs (p < 0.001). Preliminary phenotypic analyses revealed that within the CHR sample, the NMDAR antibody seropositive subjects had higher levels of current depression, performed worse on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Task (p < 0.05), and had a markedly lower IQ (p < 0.01). NMDAR IgGs were not more frequent in subjects who later became psychotic than those who did not. NMDAR antibody serostatus and titre was associated with poorer levels of functioning at follow-up (p < 0.05) and the presence of a neuronal autoantibody was associated with larger amygdala volumes (p < 0.05). Altogether, these findings demonstrate that NMDAR autoantibodies are detectable in a subgroup of CHR subjects at equal rates to controls. In the CHR group, they are associated with affective psychopathology, impairments in verbal memory, and overall cognitive function: these findings are qualitatively and individually similar to core features of autoimmune encephalitis and/or animal models of NMDAR antibody-mediated CNS disease. Overall the current work supports further evaluation of NMDAR autoantibodies as a possible prognostic biomarker and aetiological factor in a subset of people already meeting CHR criteria.
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Gibson LL, McKeever A, Coutinho E, Finke C, Pollak TA. Cognitive impact of neuronal antibodies: encephalitis and beyond. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:304. [PMID: 32873782 PMCID: PMC7463161 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00989-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction is a common feature of autoimmune encephalitis. Pathogenic neuronal surface antibodies are thought to mediate distinct profiles of cognitive impairment in both the acute and chronic phases of encephalitis. In this review, we describe the cognitive impairment associated with each antibody-mediated syndrome and, using evidence from imaging and animal studies, examine how the nature of the impairment relates to the underlying neuroimmunological and receptor-based mechanisms. Neuronal surface antibodies, particularly serum NMDA receptor antibodies, are also found outside of encephalitis although the clinical significance of this has yet to be fully determined. We discuss evidence highlighting their prevalence, and association with cognitive outcomes, in a number of common disorders including cancer and schizophrenia. We consider mechanisms, including blood-brain barrier dysfunction, which could determine the impact of these antibodies outside encephalitis and account for much of the clinical heterogeneity observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. L. Gibson
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - A. McKeever
- grid.5335.00000000121885934University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - E. Coutinho
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK ,grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - C. Finke
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Neurology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany ,grid.7468.d0000 0001 2248 7639Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - T. A. Pollak
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
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Bechter K. The Challenge of Assessing Mild Neuroinflammation in Severe Mental Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:773. [PMID: 32973573 PMCID: PMC7469926 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent psychoneuroimmunology research has provided new insight into the etiology and pathogenesis of severe mental disorders (SMDs). The mild encephalitis (ME) hypothesis was developed with the example of human Borna disease virus infection years ago and proposed, that a subgroup SMD patients, mainly from the broad schizophrenic and affective spectrum, could suffer from mild neuroinflammation, which remained undetected because hard to diagnose with available diagnostic methods. Recently, in neurology an emerging new subgroup of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) cases suffering from various neurological syndromes was described in context with the discovery of an emerging list of Central Nervous System (CNS) autoantibodies. Similarly in psychiatry, consensus criteria of autoimmune psychosis (AP) were developed for patients presenting with CNS autoantibodies together with isolated psychiatric symptoms and paraclinical findings of (mild) neuroinflammation, which in fact match also the previously proposed ME criteria. Nevertheless, identifying mild neuroinflammation in vivo in the individual SMD case remains still a major clinical challenge and the possibility that further cases of ME remain still under diagnosed appears an plausible possibility. In this paper a critical review of recent developments and remaining challenges in the research and clinical diagnosis of mild neuroinflammation in SMDs and in general and in transdisciplinary perspective to psycho-neuro-immunology and neuropsychiatry is given. Present nosological classifications of neuroinflammatory disorders are reconsidered with regard to findings from experimental and clinical research. A refined grading list of clinical states including "classical" encephalitis, AE, AP/ME,and newly proposed terms like parainflammation, stress-induced parainflammation and neuroprogression, and their respective relation to neurodegeneration is presented, which may be useful for further research on the possible causative role of mild neuroinflammation in SMDs. Beyond, an etiology-focused subclassification of ME subtypes, like autoimmune ME or infectious ME, appears to be required for differential diagnosis and individualized treatment. The present status of the clinical diagnosis of mild neuroinflammatory mechanisms involved in SMDs is outlined with the example of actual diagnosis and therapy in AP. Ideas for future research to unravel the contribution of mild neuroinflammation in the causality of SMDs and the difficulties expected to come to novel immune modulatory, anti-infectious or anti-inflammatory therapeutic principles in the sense of precision medicine are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Bechter
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy II, Ulm University, Bezirkskrankenhaus Günzburg, Günzburg, Germany
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Gibson LL, McKeever A, Cullen AE, Nicholson TR, Aarsland D, Zandi MS, Pollak TA. Neuronal surface autoantibodies in dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol 2020; 268:2769-2779. [PMID: 32306172 PMCID: PMC8289796 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-09825-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuronal antibodies can cause encephalopathy syndromes often presenting with subacute cognitive impairment, sometimes resembling neurodegenerative dementias. METHODS We searched Medline and Embase for studies reporting associations between neuronal surface antibodies in all-cause dementia versus controls. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool adjusted estimates across studies. RESULTS Six studies were included, all reporting frequency of serum NMDAR antibodies in dementia with four also reporting frequency in atypical dementias. Both IgG [OR = 8.09 (1.51; 56.85), p = 0.036] and IgA/IgM NMDAR antibodies [OR = 42.48 (11.39; 158.52), p < 0.001] were associated with atypical dementia, but neither were associated with all-cause dementia. DISCUSSION In the first meta-analysis to explore this literature, serum IgG and IgA/IgM NMDAR antibodies were significantly more common in atypical dementias. However, methodological issues and small-sample sizes necessitate caution interpreting this result. Further studies measuring both serum and CSF antibodies are needed to investigate the role of neuronal antibodies in dementia, since evidence of pathogenicity in even a subset of patients could pave the way for novel treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy L Gibson
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anna McKeever
- School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Rd, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, UK.
| | - Alexis E Cullen
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Timothy R Nicholson
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Dag Aarsland
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Michael S Zandi
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Thomas A Pollak
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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