IL1B and neuromyelitis optica: SH performed the intrastriatal injections; IW established endothelial cell cultures; JB established IL-1β stainings of human CNS tissue sections; TM selected and purified NMO-IgGs; SM purified NMO-IgGs and determined the antibody titers; MR selected NMO-IgGs and coordinated the NMO-IgG purification and absorption; KF selected NMO-IgG and participated in the coordination of this study; HL and MB conceived this study and helped to draft the manuscript.