Diagnostic Tests

CLINICAL ASSOCIATIONS

Mitogen’s Neuromyelitis Spectrum assay is an autoimmune diagnostic test that detects autoantibodies to Aquaporin 4 & Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoproteins (MOG). Aquaporin-4, also known as AQP4 or NMO-IgG, is a water channel membrane protein that conducts water through the cell membrane. Aquaporin-4 is one of the exclusive aquaporin proteins found in the central nervous system – particularly being the most prevalent aquaporin protein in the cerebellum and spinal cord grey matter. AQP4 facilitates water movement near cerebrospinal fluid and vasculature. Autoantibodies against aquaporin-4 is prevalent in neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

MOG (Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein) is a glycoprotein believed to be important in the myelination of nerves in the central nervous system. MOG is also considered to serve a function as an adhesion molecule to provide structural integrity to the myelin sheath. There is consensus that anti-MOG antibodies are important in both pediatric and adult demyelination, and the clinical association of MOG autoantibody-associated demyelination has been refined to include acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), relapsing and bilateral optic neuritis, and transverse myelitis. Anti-MOG antibodies are NOT a reliable biomarker in adult onset multiple sclerosis. Interpretation of the results must be made in the context of clinical signs and symptoms.

References:
Halsey, Andrea; Conner, Alex; Bill, Roslyn; Logan, Ann; Ahmed, Zubair (2018-10-18). “Aquaporins and Their Regulation after Spinal Cord Injury”. Cells. 7 (10): 174. doi:10.3390/cells7100174. ISSN 2073-4409. PMC 6210264. PMID 30340399.
Roth MP, et al. (July 1995). “The human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) gene: complete nucleotide sequence and structural characterization”. Genomics. 28 (2): 241–50. doi:10.1006/geno.1995.1137. PMID 8530032.