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Mitsuru Watanabe Last modified date：2024.04.19

Assistant Professor / Neurology / Kyushu University Hospital


Papers
1. Ko S, Yamasaki R, Okui T, Shiraishi W, Watanabe M, Hashimoto Y, Kobayakawa Y, Kusunoki S, Kira JI, Isobe N. , A nationwide survey of facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy in Japan., J Neurol Sci, 10.1016/j.jns.2024.122957, 459, 122957, 2024.03.
2. Nagata S, Yamasaki R, Takase EO, Iida K, Watanabe M, Masaki K, Wijering MHC, Yamaguchi H, Kira J, Isobe N. , Iguratimod Ameliorates the Severity of Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in Model Mice by Directly Inhibiting IL-6 Production and Th17 Cell Migration via Mitigation of Glial Inflammation. , Biology (Basel). 2023;12(9):1217., 10.3390/biology12091217., 12, 9, 1217, 12(9):1217., 2023.09.
3. Iwao K, Watanabe M, Mukaino T, Fujii T, Yamasaki R, Isobe N, A case report of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis with chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus 6., Neurol Clin Neurosci, https://doi.org/10.1111/ncn3.12681, 11, 1, 52-54, 2022.10.
4. Tanaka, Eizo; Watanabe, Mitsuru; Fukumoto, Shoko; Masaki, Katsuhisa; Yamasaki, Ryo; Matsushita, Takuya; Isobe, Noriko, Effect of smoking on disease activity in multiple sclerosis patients treated with dimethyl fumarate or fingolimod, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS, 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104513, 70, 2023.02.
5. Nishimura, Yuji; Masaki, Katsuhisa; Matsuse, Dai; Yamaguchi, Hiroo; Tanaka, Tatsunori; Matsuo, Eriko; Hayashida, Shotaro; Watanabe, Mitsuru; Matsushita, Takuya; Sadashima, Shoko; Sasagasako, Naokazu; Yamasaki, Ryo; Isobe, Noriko; Iwaki, Toru; Kira, Jun-Ichi, Early and extensive alterations of glial connexins, distal oligodendrogliopathy type demyelination, and nodal/paranodal pathology are characteristic of multiple system atrophy, BRAIN PATHOLOGY, 10.1111/bpa.13131, 33, 3, 2023.05.
6. Leppert, David; Watanabe, Mitsuru; Schaedelin, Sabine; Piehl, Fredrik; Furlan, Roberto; Gastaldi, Matteo; Lambert, Jeremy; Evertsson, Bjorn; Fink, Katharina; Matsushita, Takuya; Masaki, Katsuhisa; Isobe, Noriko; Kira, Jun-ichi; Benkert, Pascal; Maceski, Aleksandra; Willemse, Eline; Oechtering, Johanna; Orleth, Annette; Meier, Stephanie; Kuhle, Jens, Granulocyte activation markers in cerebrospinal fluid differentiate acute neuromyelitis spectrum disorder from multiple sclerosis, JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY, 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330796, 2023.04.
7. Ichimiya, Yuko; Chong, Pin Fee; Sonoda, Yuri; Tocan, Vlad; Watanabe, Mitsuru; Torisu, Hiroyuki; Kira, Ryutaro; Takahashi, Toshiyuki; Kira, Jun-Ichi; Isobe, Noriko; Sakai, Yasunari; Ohga, Shouichi, Long-lasting pain and somatosensory disturbances in children with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease, EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, 10.1007/s00431-023-04989-z, 2023.04.
8. Müller J, Sinnecker T, Wendebourg MJ, Schläger R, Kuhle J, Schädelin S, Benkert P, Derfuss T, Cattin P, Jud C, Spiess F, Amann M, Lincke T, Barakovic M, Cagol A, Tsagkas C, Parmar K, Pröbstel AK, Reimann S, Asseyer S, Duchow A, Brandt A, Ruprecht K, Hadjikhani N, Fukumoto S, Watanabe M, Masaki K, Matsushita T, Isobe N, Kira J, Kappos L, Würfel J, Granziera C, Paul F, Yaldizli Ö., Choroid Plexus Volume in Multiple Sclerosis versus Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis., Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm, 10.1212/NXI.0000000000001147, 9, e1147, 2022.02.
9. Hayashi F, Isobe N, Glanville J, Matsushita T, Maimaitijiang G, Fukumoto S, Watanabe M, Masaki K, Kira J., A new clustering method identifies multiple sclerosis‐specific T‐cell receptors, Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, 10.1002/acn3.51264, 8, 1, 163-176, 2021.01.
10. Watanabe M, Nakamura Y, Sato S, Niino M, Fukaura H, Tanaka M, Ochi H, Kanda T, Takeshita Y, Yokota T, Nishida Y, Matsui M, Nagayama S, Kusunoki S, Miyamoto K, Mizuno M, Kawachi I, Saji E, Ohashi T, Shimohama S, Hisahara S, Nishiyama K, Iizuka T, Nakatsuji Y, Okuno T, Ochi K, Suzumura A, Yamamoto K, Kawano Y, Tsuji S, Hirata M, Sakate R, Kimura T, Shimizu Y, Nagaishi A, Okada K, Hayashi F, Sakoda A, Masaki K, Shinoda K, Isobe N, Matsushita T, Kira J., HLA genotype-clinical phenotype correlations in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders based on Japan MS/NMOSD Biobank data., Scientific Reports, 10.1038/s41598-020-79833-7, 11, 1, 607-607, 2021.01.
11. Matsushita T, Masaki K, Isobe N, Sato S, Yamamoto K, Nakamura Y, Watanabe M, Suenaga T, Kira J, Genetic factors for susceptibility to and manifestations of neuromyelitis optica, Ann Clin Transl Neurol. , 7, 22, 2082-2093, 2020.11.
12. Hayashida S, Masaki K, Suzuki SO, Yamasaki R, Watanabe M, Koyama S, Isobe N, Matsushita T, Takahashi K, Tabira T, Iwaki T, Kira J, Distinct microglial and macrophage distribution patterns in the concentric and lamellar lesions in Baló's disease and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders., Brain Pathol, 10.1111/bpa.12898, 30, 6, 1144-1157, 2020.11.
13. Mitsuru Watanabe, Yuri Nakamura, Noriko Isobe, Masami Tanaka, Ayako Sakoda, Fumie Hayashi, Yuji Kawano, Ryo Yamasaki, Takuya Matsushita, Jun Ichi Kira, Two susceptible HLA-DRB1 alleles for multiple sclerosis differentially regulate anti-JC virus antibody serostatus along with fingolimod, Journal of neuroinflammation, 10.1186/s12974-020-01865-7, 17, 1, 206, 2020.07, Background: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) caused by JC virus (JCV) is a rare but serious complication of some disease-modifying drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). Japanese MS patients treated with fingolimod were reported to be 10 times more likely to develop PML than equivalent patients in other countries. The strongest susceptibility human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles for MS are distinct between races (DRB1*15:01 for Caucasians and DRB1*04:05 and DRB1*15:01 for Japanese); therefore, we investigated whether HLA class II alleles modulate anti-JCV antibody serostatus in Japanese MS patients with and without fingolimod. Methods: We enrolled 128 Japanese patients with MS, in whom 64 (50%) were under fingolimod treatment at sampling, and examined the relationship between HLA class II alleles and anti-JCV antibody serostatus. Serum anti-JCV antibody positivity and index were measured using a second-generation two-step assay and HLA-DRB1 and -DPB1 alleles were genotyped. Results: HLA-DRB1*15 carriers had a lower frequency of anti-JCV antibody positivity (57% vs 78%, p = 0.015), and lower antibody index (median 0.42 vs 1.97, p = 0.037) than non-carriers. Among patients without HLA-DRB1*15, DRB1*04 carriers had a higher seropositivity rate than non-carriers (84% vs 54%, p = 0.030), and DPB1*04:02 carriers had a higher anti-JCV antibody index than non-carriers (3.20 vs 1.34, p = 0.008) although anti-JCV antibody-positivity rates did not differ. Patients treated with fingolimod had a higher antibody index than other patients (1.46 vs 0.64, p = 0.039) and treatment period had a positive correlation with antibody index (p = 0.018). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age was positively associated, and HLA-DRB1*15 was negatively associated with anti-JCV antibody positivity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, p = 0.006, and OR = 0.37, p = 0.028, respectively). Excluding HLA-DRB1*15-carriers, DRB1*04 was an independent risk factor for the presence of anti-JCV antibody (OR = 5.50, p = 0.023). Conclusions: HLA-DRB1*15 is associated with low anti-JCV antibody positive rate and low JCV antibody index, and in the absence of DRB1*15, DRB1*04 carriers are associated with a high antibody positive rate in Japanese, suggesting the effects of two susceptible HLA-DRB1 alleles on anti-JCV antibody serostatus differ..
14. Shoko Fukumoto, Yuri Nakamura, Mitsuru Watanabe, Noriko Isobe, Takuya Matsushita, Ayako Sakoda, Akio Hiwatashi, Koji Shinoda, Ryo Yamasaki, Akira Tsujino, Jun ichi Kira, Risk HLA-DRB1 alleles differentially influence brain and lesion volumes in Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis, Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 10.1016/j.jns.2020.116768, 413, 2020.06, Background: The effects of distinct HLA alleles on the brain and lesion volumes remain to be established, particularly in non-Caucasian populations. Two distinct susceptibility alleles, DRB1*15:01 and DRB1*04:05, are prevalent in the Japanese population; we therefore aimed to clarify the effects of HLA-DRB1 alleles on brain and lesion volumes in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: A total of 66 patients with MS (50 relapsing remitting, 16 progressive) underwent brain MRI volumetry measuring fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T1 lesion volumes, and normalized whole-brain (NWBV), white matter (NWMV), gray matter (NGMV), cortical gray matter (NCGMV), deep gray matter (NDGMV) and thalamus (NTV) volumes, and HLA-DRB1 genotyping. Results: Carriers of HLA-DRB1*15:01(+)*04:05(−) and HLA-DRB1*15:01(−)*04:05(+) comprised 25.8% and 31.8% of patients, respectively. HLA-DRB1*15:01 carriers showed negative correlations between disease duration and NWBV (rs = −0.484, p = .036), NWMV (rs = −0.593, p = .008), and NTV (rs = −0.572, p = .011), and positive correlations between disease duration and FLAIR (rs = 0.539, p = .017) and T1 lesion volumes (rs = 0.545, p = .016). By contrast, no significant correlation of any MRI parameters with disease duration was found in HLA-DRB1*04:05 carriers. HLA-DRB1*15:01 carriers had a significantly faster reduction in NWBV and NWMV by disease duration and smaller NDGMV than DRB1*15:01 non-carriers, whereas HLA-DRB1*04:05 carriers had a significantly slower increase in FLAIR and T1 lesion volumes than HLA-DRB1*04:05 non-carriers. Conclusions: Our study suggests that distinct HLA-DRB1 alleles could differentially influence brain and lesion volumes over the disease course of MS..
15. Ayako Sakoda, Takuya Matsushita, Yuri Nakamura, Mitsuru Watanabe, Koji Shinoda, Katsuhisa Masaki, Noriko Isobe, Ryo Yamasaki, Jun ichi Kira, Environmental risk factors for multiple sclerosis in Japanese people, Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 10.1016/j.msard.2019.101872, 38, 2020.02, Background: The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been increasing worldwide in recent years, especially among females. The same increasing trends are even observed in East Asian countries, where the prevalence of MS is relatively low compared with Northern European ancestries. Whether the environmental risk factors for MS are shared between Asian and North European ancestries, and the types of environmental factors that contribute to the low and recent increase in MS prevalence in Asian countries remain unknown. This study provides the first comprehensive survey of environmental risks for MS in East Asia. Methods: Patients with MS were recruited from the Department of Neurology at Kyushu University Hospital, Japan between 01 April 2017 and 31 March 2018. Healthy controls (HCs) were recruited by public notification. All participants were residents of Kyushu Island and were required to complete medical history and lifestyle questionnaires. Dietary data were collected using a Food Frequency Questionnaire comprising intake of approximately 140 food and beverage items in the past 1 year. One hundred and three patients with MS and 124 healthy controls (HCs) completed the questionnaires. Age at onset and disability score measured by the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were obtained from medical records. Results: Frequency of obesity (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) at present time was higher in MS patients than in HCs (19.4% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.009), while body mass index at age 18–20 years did not differ between the two groups. Frequency of current or ex-smokers was higher in MS patients than in HCs (50.5% vs. 22.8%, p
16. Yinan Zhao, Ryo Yamasaki, Hiroo Yamaguchi, Satoshi Nagata, Hayato Une, Yiwen Cui, Katsuhisa Masaki, Yuko Nakamuta, Kyoko Iinuma, Mitsuru Watanabe, Takuya Matsushita, Noriko Isobe, Jun Ichi Kira, Oligodendroglial connexin 47 regulates neuroinflammation upon autoimmune demyelination in a novel mouse model of multiple sclerosis, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 10.1073/pnas.1901294117, 117, 4, 2160-2169, 2020.01, In multiple sclerosis plaques, oligodendroglial connexin (Cx) 47 constituting main gap junction channels with astroglial Cx43 is persistently lost. As mice with Cx47 single knockout exhibit no demyelination, the roles of Cx47 remain undefined. We aimed to clarify the effects of oligodendroglia-specific Cx47 inducible conditional knockout (icKO) on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide (MOG35-55) in PLP/CreERT;Cx47fl/fl mice at 14 d after tamoxifen injection. Cx47 icKO mice demonstrated exacerbation of acute and chronic relapsing EAE with more pronounced demyelination than Cx47 flox (fl)/fl littermates. CD3+ T cells more abundantly infiltrated the spinal cord in Cx47 icKO than in Cx47 fl/fl mice throughout the acute to chronic phases. CXCR3-CCR6+CD4+ and IL17+IFNγ-CD4+ helper T (Th) 17 cells isolated from spinal cord and brain tissues were significantly increased in Cx47 icKO mice compared with Cx47 fl/fl mice, while MOG35-55-specific proliferation and proinflammatory cytokine production of splenocytes were unaltered. Microarray analysis of isolated microglia revealed stronger microglial activation toward proinflammatory and injuryresponse phenotypes with increased expressions of chemokines that can attract Th17 cells, including Ccl2, Ccl3, Ccl4, Ccl7, and Ccl8, in Cx47 icKO mice compared with Cx47 fl/fl mice. In Cx47 icKO mice, NOS2+ and MHC class II+ microglia were more enriched immunohistochemically, and A1-specific astroglial gene expressions and astroglia immunostained for C3, a representative A1 astrocyte marker, were significantly increased at the acute phase, compared with Cx47 fl/fl mice. These findings suggest that oligodendroglia-specific Cx47 ablation induces severe inflammation upon autoimmune demyelination, underscoring a critical role for Cx47 in regulating neuroinflammation..
17. Y. Nakamura, Z. Liu, S. Fukumoto, K. Shinoda, A. Sakoda, T. Matsushita, S. Hayashida, N. Isobe, M. Watanabe, A. Hiwatashi, R. Yamasaki, J. i. Kira, Spinal cord involvement by atrophy and associations with disability are different between multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, European Journal of Neurology, 10.1111/ene.14038, 27, 1, 92-99, 2020.01, Background and purpose: The cervical and thoracic cross-sectional spinal cord area (CS-SCA) in multiple sclerosis (MS) correlates with disability, whilst such a correlation remains to be established in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Our aim was to clarify differences between MS and NMOSD in spinal cord segments where CS-SCA is associated with disability. Methods: The CS-SCA at C2/C3, C3/C4, T8/T9 and T9/T10 vertebral disc levels was measured in 140 MS patients (111 with relapsing–remitting MS and 29 with progressive MS) and 42 NMOSD patients with anti-aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G. Disability was evaluated by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores. Multivariate associations between CS-SCA and disability were assessed by stepwise forward multiple linear regression. Results: Thoracic CS-SCA was significantly smaller in NMOSD patients than in MS patients even after adjusting for age, sex and disease duration (P = 0.002 at T8/T9), whilst there was no difference in cervical CS-SCA between the two diseases. Cervical and thoracic CS-SCA had a negative correlation with EDSS scores in MS patients (P 
18. Yuri Mizuno, Koji Shinoda, Mitsuru Watanabe, Hidenori Ogata, Noriko Isobe, Takuya Matsushita, Ryo Yamasaki, Kimihiro Tanaka, Haruki Koike, Masahisa Katsuno, Jun ichi Kira, Intractable axonal neuropathy with multifocal peripheral nerve swelling in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
A case report, Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 10.1016/j.msard.2019.06.033, 35, 16-18, 2019.10, We report a patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) with anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibodies, who developed intractable axonal neuropathy presenting with multifocal peripheral nerve swelling by magnetic resonance (MR) neurography. A 52-year-old woman with a 12-year history of polymyositis and rheumatoid arthritis had been treated with prednisolone, tacrolimus, and abatacept (CTLA-4-Ig). She developed progressive numbness and tingling sensations in the distal parts of all limbs at the age of 50 years, followed by weakness of both upper limbs 6 months later. Neurological examination revealed severe muscle weakness and atrophy of the right upper limb with proximal dominance, diffuse moderate weakness of the left upper limb, severe sensory impairment of all modalities of four limbs in glove and stocking distribution, wide-based gait with positive Romberg's sign, and absence of all tendon reflexes. She was diagnosed with NMOSD due to positive serum anti-AQP4 antibodies and a longitudinally extensive cervical spinal cord lesion on MR images. Intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy, plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin administration were performed, which improved the spinal cord lesion on MRI, but did not ameliorate her symptoms. Notably, she also had axonal neuropathy characterized by asymmetrical, multifocal swelling of peripheral nerves by MR neurography. Histopathological examination of the biopsied sural nerve revealed axonal degeneration and endoneurial edema but no inflammatory cell infiltration. Although she was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, oral prednisolone, tacrolimus and tocilizumab, her symptoms gradually progressed. Neurologists should be aware of co-existing intractable axonal neuropathy in NMOSD cases presenting as immunotherapy-resistant sensorimotor disturbances..
19. Guzailiayi Maimaitijiang, Mitsuru Watanabe, Koji Shinoda, Noriko Isobe, Yuri Nakamura, Katsuhisa Masaki, Takuya Matsushita, Yasunobu Yoshikai, Jun Ichi Kira, Long-term use of interferon-β in multiple sclerosis increases Vδ1-Vδ2-Vγ9- γδ T cells that are associated with a better outcome, Journal of neuroinflammation, 10.1186/s12974-019-1574-5, 16, 1, 2019.09, BACKGROUND: We previously reported that Vδ2+Vγ9+ γδ T cells were significantly decreased in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients without disease-modifying therapies (untreated MS) and were negatively correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, suggesting protective roles of Vδ2+Vγ9+ γδ T cells. Interferon-β (IFN-β) is one of the first-line disease-modifying drugs for MS. However, no previous studies have reported changes in γδ T cell subsets under IFN-β treatment. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the effects of the long-term usage of IFN-β on γδ T cell subsets in MS patients. METHODS: Comprehensive flow cytometric immunophenotyping was performed in 35 untreated MS and 21 MS patients on IFN-β for more than 2 years (IFN-β-treated MS) including eight super-responders fulfilling no evidence of disease activity criteria, and 44 healthy controls (HCs). RESULTS: The percentages of Vδ2+Vγ9+ cells in γδ T cells were significantly lower in untreated and IFN-β-treated MS patients than in HCs. By contrast, the percentages of Vδ1-Vδ2-Vγ9- cells in γδ T cells were markedly higher in IFN-β-treated MS patients than in HCs and untreated MS patients (both p
20. Mitsuru Watanabe, Yuri Nakamura, Zuzanna Michalak, Noriko Isobe, Christian Barro, David Leppert, Takuya Matsushita, Fumie Hayashi, Ryo Yamasaki, Jens Kuhle, Jun Ichi Kira, Serum GFAP and neurofilament light as biomarkers of disease activity and disability in NMOSD, Neurology, 10.1212/WNL.0000000000008160, 93, 13, E1299-E1311, 2019.09, ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL), which are an intermediate astrocyte and neuron filaments, respectively, are clinically useful biomarkers of disease activity and disability in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD).MethodsLevels of GFAP and NfL in serum (sGFAP and sNfL, respectively) and in CSF samples were measured in healthy controls (HCs) (n = 49; 49 serum samples), patients with NMOSD (n = 33; 42 CSF and 102 serum samples), and patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 49; 53 CSF and 91 serum samples) by ultrasensitive single-molecule array assays. Association of sGFAP and sNfL levels with clinical parameters was determined.ResultsFor both GFAP and NfL, CSF and serum levels were strongly correlated. Both were higher in the serum of patients with NMOSD than in HCs (both p
21. Toshikazu Baba, Koji Shinoda, mitsuru watanabe, Shoko Sadashima, Dai Matsuse, Noriko Isobe, Ryo Yamasaki, Kimihiko Kaneko, Toshiyuki Takahashi, Toru Iwaki, Jun-Ichi Kira, MOG antibody disease manifesting as progressive cognitive deterioration and behavioral changes with primary central nervous system vasculitis, Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 10.1016/j.msard.2019.01.053, 30, 48-50, 2019.05, We report a 60-year-old male with anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody who developed progressive cognitive deterioration and behavioral changes, with no other focal signs, over 9 months. MRI showed numerous T2-hyperintense lesions with partial contrast enhancement in white and grey matter of cerebrum, cerebellum and spinal cord. A brain biopsy revealed perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration, disturbed vascular continuity and no demyelination, indicative of a lymphocytic pattern of primary CNS vasculitis (PCNSV). Contrast enhancement disappeared after immunotherapy; however, cognitive impairment was not improved. Neurologists should note that MOG antibody disease can present as immunotherapy-resistant progressive cognitive impairment with PCNSV-like histopathology..
22. Noriko Isobe, Toshikazu Baba, Yuri Nakamura, Koji Shinoda, Mitsuru Watanabe, Takuya Matsushita, Jun-ichi Kira, Case of central nervous system inflammatory disease in late pregnancy, Clinical and Experimental Neuroimmunology, 10.1111/cen3.12503, 10, S1, 54-58, 2019.03, Background: During pregnancy, dynamic changes occur not only in coagulation, but also in immune responses. We report a case of a patient who developed an inflammatory disease in the central nervous system during late pregnancy and was challenging to diagnose. Case presentation: A 27-year-old woman experienced dysarthria during pregnancy at approximately 33 gestational weeks. From the 38th week of pregnancy, she developed general fatigue, clumsiness of the left hand and numbness of the right side of the body. After delivery of her child at 41 weeks’ gestation, she was moved to the neurology ward for further investigation. She showed limb ataxia of the left extremities and sensory disturbance on the right side of the body, including the face. Magnetic resonance imaging detected multiple gadolinium-enhanced lesions at the brainstem and cerebrum. High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy was effective, but her symptoms still remained, including palatal myoclonus. Diagnosing this patient was challenging, but clinically isolated syndrome or multiple sclerosis and neuro-Behҫet's disease were the main candidates. Conclusions: We present a case of a pregnant woman who developed brain inflammatory lesions with unknown etiology. Longitudinal follow up is mandatory for diagnosis with careful tapering of oral prednisolone..
23. Mitsuru Watanabe, Wataru Shiraishi, Ryo Yamasaki, Noriko Isobe, Motohiro Sawatsubashi, Ryuji Yasumatsu, Takashi Nakagawa, Jun-ichi Kira, Oral phase dysphagia in facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy, Brain and Behavior, 10.1002/brb3.999, 8, 6, 2018.06, Introduction: Facial onset motor and sensory neuronopathy (FOSMN) is a rare disease whose cardinal features are initial asymmetrical facial sensory deficits followed by bulbar symptoms and spreading of sensory and motor deficits from face to scalp, neck, upper trunk, and upper extremities in a rostral–caudal direction. Although bulbar involvement is frequently observed in FOSMN, dysphagia in these patients has not been fully described. In this study, we aimed to characterize dysphagia as a prognostic factor in FOSMN by investigating our institutional case series. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, including swallowing function tests, of six patients with FOSMN (three men and three women) who were thoroughly examined at Kyushu University Hospital between 1 January 2005 and 30 November 2017. Results: Average age at onset was 58.5 years; average disease duration was 5.7 years. All patients developed bulbar dysfunction and dysphagia (at an average of 1.8 and 2.6 years from onset, respectively), resulting in choking episodes in three patients, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement in three, and recurrent aspiration pneumonia in one. Four of five patients evaluated with videofluoroscopic swallowing studies had poor oral retention, leading to bolus flowing into the pharynx before swallowing; the fifth patient showed poor lingual transfer. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing revealed leakage of blue-dyed water from the mouth to the pharynx in three patients because of poor oral retention, but only mild pharyngeal phase dysphagia in all four cases evaluated. Conclusions: Oral phase dysphagia predominates in the early stage of FOSMN..
24. Mizuno Y, Shinoda K, Watanabe M, Matsushita T, Yamasaki R, Kira J., Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms in NMOSD., Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm , 2018.03.
25. Shotaro Hayashida, Katsuhisa Masaki, Tomomi Yonekawa, Satoshi Suzuki, Hiwatashi Akio, Takuya Matsushita, Mitsuru Watanabe, Ryo Yamasaki, Toshihiko Suenaga, Toru Iwaki, Hiroyuki Murai, Jun-ichi Kira, Early and extensive spinal white matter involvement in neuromyelitis optica, Brain Pathology, 10.1111/bpa.12386, 27, 3, 249-265, 2017.05, Objectives: Studies of longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (LESCLs) in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) have focused on gray matter, where the relevant antigen, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), is abundant. Because spinal white matter pathology in NMO is not well characterized, we aimed to clarify spinal white matter pathology of LESCLs in NMO. Methods: We analyzed 50 spinal cord lesions from eleven autopsied NMO/NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) cases. We also evaluated LESCLs with three or fewer spinal cord attacks by 3-tesla MRI in 15 AQP4 antibody-positive NMO/NMOSD patients and in 15 AQP4 antibody-negative multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Results: Pathological analysis revealed seven cases of AQP4 loss and four predominantly demyelinating cases. Forty-four lesions from AQP4 loss cases involved significantly more frequently posterior columns (PC) and lateral columns (LC) than anterior columns (AC) (59.1%, 63.6%, and 34.1%, respectively). The posterior horn (PH), central portion (CP), and anterior horn (AH) were similarly affected (38.6%, 36.4% and 31.8%, respectively). Isolated perivascular inflammatory lesions with selective loss of astrocyte endfoot proteins, AQP4 and connexin 43, were present only in white matter and were more frequent in PC and LC than in AC (22.7%, 29.5% and 2.3%, Pcorr = 0.020, and Pcorr = 0.004, respectively). MRI indicated LESCLs more frequently affected PC and LC than AC in anti-AQP4 antibody-seropositive NMO/NMOSD (86.7%, 60.0% and 20.0%, Pcorr = 0.005, and Pcorr = 0.043, respectively) and AQP4 antibody-seronegative MS patients (86.7%, 73.3% and 33.3%, Pcorr = 0.063, and Pcorr = 0.043, respectively). PH, CP and AH were involved in 93.3%, 86.7% and 73.3% of seropositive patients, respectively, and in 53.3%, 60.0% and 40.0% of seronegative patients, respectively. Conclusions: NMO frequently and extensively affects spinal white matter in addition to central gray matter, especially in PC and LC, where isolated perivascular lesions with astrocyte endfoot protein loss may emerge. Spinal white matter involvement may also appear in early NMO, similar to cerebral white matter lesions..
26. Mitsuru Watanabe, Katsuhisa Masaki, Ryo Yamasaki, Jun Kawanokuchi, Hideyuki Takeuchi, Takuya Matsushita, Akio Suzumura, Jun-ichi Kira, Th1 cells downregulate connexin 43 gap junctions in astrocytes via microglial activation, Scientific Reports, 10.1038/srep38387, 6, 2016.12, We previously reported early and extensive loss of astrocytic connexin 43 (Cx43) in acute demyelinating lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Because it is widely accepted that autoimmune T cells initiate MS lesions, we hypothesized that infiltrating T cells affect Cx43 expression in astrocytes, which contributes to MS lesion formation. Primary mixed glial cell cultures were prepared from newborn mouse brains, and microglia were isolated by anti-CD11b antibody-conjugated magnetic beads. Next, we prepared astrocyte-rich cultures and astrocyte/microglia-mixed cultures. Treatment of primary mixed glial cell cultures with interferon (IFN) γ, interleukin (IL)-4, or IL-17 showed that only IFNβ or IL-17 at high concentrations reduced Cx43 protein levels. Upon treatment of astrocyte-rich cultures and astrocyte/microglia-mixed cultures with IFNγ;, Cx43 mRNA/protein levels and the function of gap junctions were reduced only in astrocyte/microglia-mixed cultures. IFNγ-treated microglia-conditioned media and IL-1β, which was markedly increased in IFNγ-treated microglia-conditioned media, reduced Cx43 protein levels in astrocyte-rich cultures. Finally, we confirmed that Th1 cell-conditioned medium decreased Cx43 protein levels in mixed glial cell cultures. These findings suggest that Th1 cell-derived IFNγ activates microglia to release IL-1β that reduces Cx43 gap junctions in astrocytes. Thus, Th1-dominant inflammatory states disrupt astrocytic intercellular communication and may exacerbate MS..
27. Yuri Nakamura, Takuya Matsushita, Shinya Sato, Masaaki Niino, Toshiyuki Fukazawa, Satoshi Yoshimura, Shin Hisahara, Noriko Isobe, Shun Shimohama, Mitsuru Watanabe, Kazuto Yoshida, Hideki Houzen, Yusei Miyazaki, Ryo Yamasaki, Seiji Kikuchi, Jun-ichi Kira, Latitude and HLA-DRB1*04:05 independently influence disease severity in Japanese multiple sclerosis
A cross-sectional study, Journal of Neuroinflammation, 10.1186/s12974-016-0695-3, 13, 1, 2016.09, Background: Higher latitude and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*04:05 increase susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Japanese population, but their effects on disease severity are unknown. We aimed to clarify the effects of latitude and the HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DPB1 genes on disease severity in Japanese patients with MS. Methods: We enrolled 247 MS patients and 159 healthy controls (HCs) from the northernmost main island of Japan, Hokkaido Island (42-45° north), and 187 MS patients and 235 HCs from the southern half (33-35° north) of the Japanese archipelago (33-45° north). We genotyped HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DPB1 alleles, compared demographic features, and analyzed factors contributing to differences in clinical and laboratory findings between MS patients from southern and northern Japan. The Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS), which adjusts the Kurtzke's Expanded Disability Status Scale score according to disease duration, was used to estimate disease severity. Results: The HLA-DRB1*04:05 and DRB1*15:01 alleles conferred susceptibility to MS in our Japanese population (p corr=0.0004 and p corr=0.0019, respectively). Southern patients had higher MSSS scores than northern patients (p=0.003). Northern patients had higher frequencies of brain lesions meeting the Barkhof criteria (Barkhof brain lesions) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IgG abnormalities than southern patients (p=0.0012 and p
28. Shotaro Hayashida, Katsuhisa Masaki, Takuya Matsushita, Mitsuru Watanabe, Ryo Yamasaki, Hiroyuki Murai, Jun-Ichi Kira, Holocord involvement with sparing of the peripheral white matter rim in longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions of neuromyelitis optica, Clinical and Experimental Neuroimmunology, 10.1111/cen3.12274, 6, 78-79, 2015.12.
29. Shinya Sato, Ken Yamamoto, Takuya Matsushita, Noriko Isobe, Yuji Kawano, Kyoko Iinuma, Masaaki Niino, Toshiyuki Fukazawa, Yuri Nakamura, Mitsuru Watanabe, Tomomi Yonekawa, Katsuhisa Masaki, Satoshi Yoshimura, Hiroyuki Murai, Ryo Yamasaki, Jun-ichi Kira, Copy number variations in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, Annals of Neurology, 10.1002/ana.24511, 78, 5, 762-774, 2015.11, Objective To clarify the potential association of copy number variations (CNVs) with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in Japanese cases. Methods Genome-wide association analyses of CNVs among 277 MS patients, 135 NMO/NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients, and 288 healthy individuals as a discovery cohort, and among 296 MS patients, 76 NMO/NMOSD patients, and 790 healthy individuals as a replication cohort were performed using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism microarrays. Results A series of discovery and replication studies revealed that most identified CNVs were 5 to 50kb deletions at particular T cell receptor (TCR) gamma and alpha loci regions. Among these CNVs, a TCR gamma locus deletion was found in 16.40% of MS patients (p = 2.44E-40, odds ratio [OR] = 52.6), and deletion at the TCR alpha locus was found in 17.28% of MS patients (p = 1.70E-31, OR = 13.0) and 13.27% of NMO/NMOSD patients (p = 5.79E-20, OR = 54.6). These CNVs were observed in peripheral blood T-cell subsets only, suggesting the CNVs were somatically acquired. NMO/NMOSD patients carrying the CNV tended to be seronegative for anti-aquaporin-4 antibody or had significantly lower titers than those without CNV. Interpretation Deletion-type CNVs at specific TCR loci regions contribute to MS and NMO susceptibility..
30. Mitsuru Watanabe, Takayuki Kondo, Kenji Murakata, Takashi Kageyama, Yoko Shibata, Toshiyuki Takahashi, Kyoichi Nomura, Sadayuki Matsumoto, Antibodies to neural and non-neural autoantigens in Japanese patients with CNS demyelinating disorders, Journal of Neuroimmunology, 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.06.020, 274, 1-2, 155-160, 2014.01, Anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibodies (Abs) are essential in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), but the relationship between CNS demyelinating disorders (CNSDD) and other neural Abs remains unclear. Here we screened anti-neural Abs in the sera of 70 Japanese CNSDD patients. While two had only demyelinating events among three anti. N-methyl. d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) Ab-positive subjects, the other subject who also had anti-AQP4 Abs experienced episodes of anti-NMDAR encephalitis and of NMOSD. Major lesions in the three anti-contactin-associated protein 2 Ab-positive subjects were infratentorial, including one co-carrying anti-AQP4 Abs. Thus, autoantibodies can be clinically silent, but multiple autoantibodies may participate in the pathogenesis..
31. Mitsuru Watanabe, Ryo Yamasaki, Yuji Kawano, Shihoko Imamura, Jun-ichi Kira, Anti-KIR4.1 antibodies in Japanese patients with idiopathic central nervous system demyelinating diseases, Clinical and Experimental Neuroimmunology, 10.1111/cen3.12029, 4, 2, 241-242, 2013.08.
32. Mitsuru Watanabe, Hitoshi Satoi, Yuki Takahashi, Namiko Nishida, Hiroki Toda, Sadayuki Matsumoto, Remission of lymphomatosis cerebri induced by corticosteroid and high-doses intravenous methotrexate, Clinical Neurology, 10.5692/clinicalneurol.52.486, 52, 7, 486-490, 2012.07, Lymphomatosis cerebri (LC) is a rare form of primary central nervous system lymphoma characterized by subacute progressive dementia and unsteady gait MRI study of LC typically reveals diffuse leukoencephalopathy without contrast enhancement. The clinical presentation and MRI features of LC can resemble infectious, inflammatory, toxic or vascular leukoencephalopathy. Hence diagnosis of LC is easily mistaken for other, more common diseases. In this report, we present a case of a 55-year-old man presenting with subacute progressive dementia and ataxic gait. Brain MRI showed diffuse hyperintense lesions in the cerebral white matter of both hemispheres, left amygdala, brainstem and cerebellar peduncles on FLAIR image. No contrast-enhanced lesion was observed. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed elevated levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor and β2-microglobulin. Based on MRI findings and 123I-IMP SPECT, stereotactic biopsy targeting white matter of the left medial temporal lobe was performed (day 0). On the day after the brain biopsy, corticosteroid therapy was initiated and improved the patient's cognitive function and gait disturbance. Pathological diagnosis of large B-cell lymphoma was obtained on day 9. High-dose intravenous methotrexate chemotherapy was started on day 14 and led to complete remission by day 52. This case highlighted the importance of brain biopsy for diagnosis of LC. This report raises a possibility that timely and proper treatment leads to a favorable outcome of LC that has been regarded as an intractable disease with poor prognosis..
33. Mitsuru Watanabe, Hirofumi Ochi, Hajime Arahata, Tomohito Matsuo, Seiho Nagafuchi, Yasumasa Ohyagi, Jun-ichi Kira, Myopathy in autoimmune polyendocrinopathy- candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy, Muscle and Nerve, 10.1002/mus.23321, 45, 6, 904-908, 2012.06, Introduction: Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by monogenic mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. No attention has been paid to muscle manifestations in this disorder. We aimed to uncover whether progressive myopathy is a component of this disorder. Methods: A case description and literature search for APECED cases presenting with myopathy and analysis of AIRE gene expression in biopsied muscles from 4 healthy volunteers and the patient by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: A 52-year-old woman with APECED caused by AIRE gene mutations developed progressive myopathy involving proximal limb and paraspinal muscles. Muscle biopsy specimens showed myopathic changes without inflammatory cell infiltrate. We detected AIRE gene expression in all muscle tissues examined. An extensive literature search uncovered 5 cases of APECED with myopathy, all of whom had similar features. Conclusions: Progressive myopathy involvement could be a hitherto unknown manifestation of APECED..


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