Specific and Polyfunctional T Cell Response Against N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor in an Autoantibody-Mediated Encephalitis Model.

Anti-N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) autoimmune encephalitis (NMDAR AE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by severe psychiatric and neurological symptoms. While the pathogenic role of antibodies (Abs) directed against the GluN1 subunit of NMDAR is well described in this disease, the immune mechanisms involved in the generation of the autoimmune B cell response, especially the role of T helper cells, are poorly understood. Previously, we developed a B-cell-mediated mouse model of NMDAR AE by immunization with a GluN1_359-378 peptide that drives a series of symptoms that recapitulate AE such as anxiety behaviour and spatial memory impairment.