Johns Hopkins University

Principal Investigator: Dr. Michael Levy

Project Title: Aquaporin 4 variants and astrocyte diversity in
the immuno-pathogenesis of NMO

The neuromyelitis optica (NMO) labs at Johns Hopkins University are committed to understand the basic pathogenic mechanisms of NMO. We are using unique features of NMO including the localization of disease to the optic nerves and spinal cord and the presence of the anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody, the NMO-IgG, to study the difference between NMO and other inflammatory diseases of the nervous system. We are focusing on the expression of the AQP4 water channels as the primary player in the pathogenesis of disease. Using techniques such as flow cytometry, real time PCR and gene chip analysis, we are beginning to undercover the roles of AQP4 and AQP4-related proteins in NMO.

Johns Hopkins NMO team

• Michael Levy, MD, PhD, Neuroimmunology Fellow and director of the NMO clinic
• Carlos Pardo, MD, Associate Professor
• Harleen Saini, MS, research associate

Website: Johns Hopkins University NMO Research Lab