Therefore, we aimed to clarify Cx alterations in acute and chronic demyelinating lesions from MS and NMO patients, by systematic investigation of the expression of Cxs relative to those of other astrocytic proteins, the extent of demyelination, vasculocentric deposition of IgGs and complement, and lesion staging by CD68 staining for macrophages in NMO and MS patient samples. The gene discussed is CD68; the disease is neuromyelitis optica.