Mounting evidence suggests that autoantibodies contribute to the pathogenesis of demyelination in the PNS and CNS, and that such autoantibodies might impair saltatory conduction mediated by the node of Ranvier. In this Review, the authors provide a detailed description of the molecular anatomy of the node of Ranvier, discuss nodal, paranodal and juxtaparanodal proteins as likely autoantigens, and examine the role of autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of demyelinating disease.
- Panos Stathopoulos
- Harry Alexopoulos
- Marinos C. Dalakas
