Original research: Differential expression of antibodies to NMDA receptor in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus

摘要

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is the most prevalent autoimmune encephalitis having characteristic clinical features with autoantibodies against tetrameric transmembrane channels composed of combinations of NR1 subunits of NMDA receptors with NR2 subunits, which are detected by cell-based assay (anti-NR1/NR2). On the other hand, antibodies against the linear epitope in NR2 subunit (anti-NR2) have been shown to be expressed in patients with diffuse psychiatriceuropsychological syndromes of neuropsychiatric SLE (diffuse NPSLE). However, it has not been explored whether anti-NR1/NR2 might be detected in NPSLE, nor has it been clear whether anti-NR2 might have cross-reactivity with anti-NR1/NR2. The current study was therefore performed to explore the prevalence of anti-NR1/NR2 in NPSLE.