Astrocyte‐Derived Exosomes Contribute to Pathologies of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder in Rodent Model

Objective Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease that leads to severe disability. A large proportion of NMOSD patients are seropositive for aquaporin‐4 autoantibodies (AQP4‐IgG, named as NMO‐IgG) targeting AQP4, which is selectively expressed on astrocytes in the central nervous system. This study tests the hypothesis that in response to NMO‐IgG, the pathogenic astrocyte‐derived exosomes are released and injure the neighboring cells. Methods IgG purified from serum of either NMOSD patients or healthy controls was used to generate astrocyte‐derived exosomes (AST‐Exos NMO vs AST‐Exos CON ) in cultured rat astrocytes. The exosomes were respectively delivered to cultured rat oligodendrocytes in vitro, tissue culture of rat optic nerve ex vivo, and rat optic nerve in vivo to evaluate the pathogenic roles of AST‐Exos NMO . The microRNA (miRNA) sequencing of AST‐Exos and verification were performed to identify the key pathogenic miRNA. The custom‐designed adeno‐associated virus (AAV) antagonizing the key miRNA was evaluated for its therapeutic effects in vivo. Moreover, the serum levels of the key exosomal miRNA were measured between NMOSD patients and healthy controls. Results AST‐Exos NMO led to notable demyelination in both cultured oligodendrocytes and optic nerve tissue. Exosomal miR‐129‐2‐3p was identified as the key miRNA mediating the demyelinating pathogenesis via downstream target gene SMAD3 . AAV antagonizing miR‐129‐2‐3p protected against demyelination in an NMOSD rodent model. The serum exosomal miR‐129‐2‐3p level was significantly elevated in NMOSD patients and correlated with disease severity. Interpretation Astrocytes targeted by NMO‐IgG release pathogenic exosomes that could potentially be used as therapeutic targets or disease monitoring biomarkers in NMOSD. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:163–181