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Aquaporin 4 (AQP4)‐specific autoantibodies in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are immunoglobulin (Ig)G1, a T cell‐dependent Ig subclass, indicating that AQP4‐specific T cells participate in NMO pathogenesis. Our goal was to identify and characterize AQP4‐specific T cells in NMO patients and healthy controls (HC).

Peripheral blood T cells from NMO patients and HC were examined for recognition of AQP4 and production of proinflammatory cytokines. Monocytes were evaluated for production of T cell‐polarizing cytokines and expression of costimulatory molecules.

T cells from NMO patients and HC proliferated to intact AQP4 or AQP4 peptides (p11–30, p21–40, p61–80, p131–150, p156–170, p211–230, and p261–280). T cells from NMO patients demonstrated greater proliferation to AQP4 than those from HC, and responded most vigorously to p61–80, a naturally processed …