CXCL12 in human brain was down-regulated in NMOSD patients with poor recovery.
CXCL12 was negatively related with the up-regulation of NMO-IgG in patients' serum.
CXCL12 was negatively related with the up-regulation GFAP in NMOSD patients' CSF.
CXCL12 was related with TNFα concentration in NMOSD patients' CSF.
Our work confirmed Patel's hypothesis (Acta neuropathologica. 2012; 124:847-60).