CD59 and neuromyelitis optica: With regard to NMO, the amplified response of CD59−/− rats to AQP4-IgG may be useful in testing drugs that target distinct steps in the AQP4-IgG/complement injury pathway, as well as in investigating outstanding questions in NMO pathogenesis mechanisms such as the role of sensitized T cells and the explanation for the absence of significant pathology in peripheral AQP4-expressing tissues despite their sustained direct exposure to serum AQP4-IgG.