The Diverse and Complex Modes of Action of Anti-NMDA Receptor Autoantibodies

Overview

Journal Neuropharmacology

Specialties Neurology
Pharmacology

Date 2021 Jun 3

PMID 34081993

Citations 12

Authors

Lonnie P Wollmuth

Kelvin Chan

Laurent Groc

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

NMDA receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that are found throughout the brain and are required for both brain development and many higher order functions. A variety of human patients with diverse clinical phenotypes have been identified that carry autoantibodies directed against NMDA receptor subunits. Here we focus on two general classes of autoantibodies, anti-GluN1 antibodies associated with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and anti-GluN2 antibodies associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These two general classes of anti-NMDA receptor autoantibodies display a wide range of pathophysiological mechanisms from altering synaptic composition to gating of NMDARs. While we have made progress in understanding how these autoantibodies work at the molecular and cellular level, many unanswered questions remain including their long-term actions on brain function, the significance of clonal variations, and their effects on different NMDA receptor-expressing cell types in local circuits. This information will be needed to define fully the transition from anti-NMDA receptor autoantibodies to a clinical phenotype.

Citing Articles

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Bridging the gap: insights into sensorimotor deficits in NMDA receptor antibody encephalitis.

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Mismatch Negativity (MMN) as a Pharmacodynamic/Response Biomarker for NMDA Receptor and Excitatory/Inhibitory Imbalance-Targeted Treatments in Schizophrenia.

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Structural basis for antibody-mediated NMDA receptor clustering and endocytosis in autoimmune encephalitis.

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