Clinical Information

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired, immune-mediated condition effecting peripheral nerves and nerve roots and is characterized by electrodiagnostic features of demyelination with a chronic onset that leads to significant disability. The prevalence of CIDP is estimated at approximately 2 to 4 cases per 100,000 persons. Although a rarer cause of polyneuropathy, it is important to recognize as it is treatable with the appropriate use of immunomodulating therapies. Although the exact immunological trigger of CIDP remains unclear, a subset of patients with suspected CIDP have been identified with autoantibodies targeting nodal-paranodal proteins. These patients share common immunopathological mechanisms of disease, clinical features, and treatment responses that are distinct from classic CIDP. A common target of these autoantibodies is the neurofascin-155 (NF155): contactin-1 (CNTN1) complex. NF155 is expressed at the paranodal loops of Schwann cells where it interacts with CNTN1 expressed on adjacent axons. This interaction stabilizes and allows the proper organization of the paranodal axoglial junction. Antibody-mediated disruption of this interaction in animal models recapitulates the pathophysiology observed in humans.

NF155 IgG antibodies are present in approximately 5% to 10% of patients with CIDP like presentations and, more rarely, in those with more acute forms of demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. NF155 IgG positive cases are more likely to present with distal weakness, gait disturbance, tremor, and dysarthria as compared to classic CIDP. Most patients who are seropositive for NF155 IgG have been reported to be refractory to intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy and often require second line treatment that includes B-cell depleting therapies such as rituximab. Studies in animal models, as well as the disease pathology indicate NF155 IgG4 antibodies directly disrupt the paranodal axoglial junction ultimately leading to demyelination. IgG4 is the predominant antibody subclass found in these patients and associates with poorer treatment responses to IVIG. The detection of NF155 IgG4 is a highly specific finding and has not been reported in other disease mimics such as hereditary neuropathies, distal acquired demyelinating symmetric neuropathy, and motor neuron disease.

CNTN1 IgG antibodies are present in approximately 2% of patients with CIDP like presentations. CNTN1 IgG positive cases are more likely to present with neuropathic pain, sensory ataxia, and subacute progressive demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy or polyradiculopathy. The majority of seropositive patients have been reported to be refractory to treatment with IVIG. However, some of these patients respond well to B-cell depleting therapies such as rituximab. Up to half of CNTN1 IgG positive patients with CIDP or CIDP-like presentations have been reported to develop membranous nephropathy and, thus, screening for proteinuria may be warranted.