Frontiers in Neurology (Aug 2023)

Case report: Granzyme-B expression by T- and B- cells during severe AQP4-positive Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorder with fatal venous thromboembolism outcome

  • Vinícius Oliveira Boldrini,
  • Vinícius Oliveira Boldrini,
  • Mariana Rabelo Brito,
  • Raphael Patrício Silva Quintiliano,
  • Lucas Scárdua Silva,
  • Lucas Scárdua Silva,
  • Clarissa Lin Yasuda,
  • Clarissa Lin Yasuda,
  • Fernando Cendes,
  • Fernando Cendes,
  • Alessandro Santos Farias,
  • Alessandro Santos Farias,
  • Alfredo Damasceno,
  • Alfredo Damasceno

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1208977
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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BackgroundThe expression of serine protease granzyme-B (GzmB) by circulating CD8+ T lymphocytes has been recently suggested as a biomarker for poor immunotherapy response and severe disability in patients with Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). In parallel, venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been reported mainly in NMOSD patients exhibiting transverse myelitis.Case presentationHere, we describe an Aquaporin-4 positive (AQP4-positive) NMOSD patient who showed short myelitis (SM) and experienced a fatal pulmonary thromboembolism/lower extremity deep vein thrombosis during anti-CD20 treatment. Flow cytometry analyses from the peripheral blood revealed an enhanced cytotoxic behavior through circulating CD8+GzmB+ T, CD4+GzmB+ T lymphocytes, and residual CD19+GzmB+ B cells.ConclusionsFatal VTE may be a rare outcome, particularly in patients exhibiting SM, and may share poorly understood immunological mechanisms with AQP4-positive NMOSD severity.

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