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Huang EJC, Wu MH, Wang TJ, Huang TJ, Li YR, Lee CY. Myasthenia Gravis: Novel Findings and Perspectives on Traditional to Regenerative Therapeutic Interventions. Aging Dis 2023; 14:1070-1092. [PMID: 37163445 PMCID: PMC10389825 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2022.1215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disorder, is increasing among all subsets of the population leading to an elevated economic and social burden. The pathogenesis of MG is characterized by the synthesis of autoantibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4), or muscle-specific kinase at the neuromuscular junction, thereby leading to muscular weakness and fatigue. Based on clinical and laboratory examinations, the research is focused on distinguishing MG from other autoimmune, genetic diseases of neuromuscular transmission. Technological advancements in machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) have been assistive in accurate diagnosis and management. Besides, addressing the clinical needs of MG patients is critical to improving quality of life (QoL) and satisfaction. Lifestyle changes including physical exercise and traditional Chinese medicine/herbs have also been shown to exert an ameliorative impact on MG progression. To achieve enhanced therapeutic efficacy, cholinesterase inhibitors, immunosuppressive drugs, and steroids in addition to plasma exchange therapy are widely recommended. Under surgical intervention, thymectomy is the only feasible alternative to removing thymoma to overcome thymoma-associated MG. Although these conventional and current therapeutic approaches are effective, the associated adverse events and surgical complexity limit their wide application. Moreover, Restivo et al. also, to increase survival and QoL, further recent developments revealed that antibody, gene, and regenerative therapies (such as stem cells and exosomes) are currently being investigated as a safer and more efficacious alternative. Considering these above-mentioned points, we have comprehensively reviewed the recent advances in pathological etiologies of MG including COVID-19, and its therapeutic management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Jou-Chen Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Meng-Huang Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Tsung-Jen Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Tsung-Jen Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Yan-Rong Li
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Ching-Yu Lee
- Department of Orthopedics, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- International PhD Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
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Gong L, Tian J, Zhang Y, Feng Z, Wang Q, Wang Y, Zhang F, Zhang W, Huang G. Human Parvovirus B19 May Be a Risk Factor in Myasthenia Gravis with Thymoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2022; 30:1646-1655. [PMID: 36509875 PMCID: PMC9744379 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-022-12936-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Our previous studies have demonstrated that human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is involved in the pathogenesis of thymic hyperplasia-associated myasthenia gravis (MG). However, more cases need to be assessed to further elucidate the relationship between this virus and thymoma-associated MG. MATERIALS AND METHODS The clinicopathological characteristics, presence of B19V DNA, and B19V VP2 capsid protein expression of 708 cases of thymomas were investigated using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), TaqMan quantitative (q) PCR, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent multiplex immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. RESULTS Patients with MG or ectopic germinal centers (GCs) were significantly younger than those without MG (P < 0.0001) or GCs (P = 0.0001). Moreover, significantly more GCs were detected in thymomas associated with MG than in those without MG (P < 0.0001). The results of nested PCR and TaqMan qPCR were consistent, and B19V DNA positivity was only associated with presence of GCs (P = 0.011). Immunohistochemically, positive staining was primarily detected in neoplastic thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and ectopic GCs. The positive rate of B19V VP2 was significantly higher in thymoma with MG or GCs than in thymoma without MG (P = 0.004) or GCs (P = 0.006). Electron microscopy showed B19V particles in the nuclei of neoplastic TECs and B cells from GCs. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the pathogenesis of MG is closely associated with the presence of GCs, and B19V infection is plausibly an essential contributor to formation of ectopic GCs in thymoma. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to elucidate the role of B19V in thymoma-associated MG and provide new ideas for exploring the etiopathogenic mechanism of MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Gong
- Department of Pathology, Helmholtz Sina-German Research Laboratory for Cancer, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Tian
- Department of Pathology, Helmholtz Sina-German Research Laboratory for Cancer, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Helmholtz Sina-German Research Laboratory for Cancer, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zheng Feng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiannan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Helmholtz Sina-German Research Laboratory for Cancer, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fuqin Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Helmholtz Sina-German Research Laboratory for Cancer, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Helmholtz Sina-German Research Laboratory for Cancer, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gaosheng Huang
- Department of Pathology, Helmholtz Sina-German Research Laboratory for Cancer, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
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Payet CA, You A, Fayet OM, Dragin N, Berrih-Aknin S, Le Panse R. Myasthenia Gravis: An Acquired Interferonopathy? Cells 2022; 11:cells11071218. [PMID: 35406782 PMCID: PMC8997999 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune disease mediated by antibodies against components of the neuromuscular junction, particularly the acetylcholine receptor (AChR). The thymus plays a primary role in AChR-MG patients. In early-onset AChR-MG and thymoma-associated MG, an interferon type I (IFN-I) signature is clearly detected in the thymus. The origin of this chronic IFN-I expression in the thymus is not yet defined. IFN-I subtypes are normally produced in response to viral infection. However, genetic diseases called interferonopathies are associated with an aberrant chronic production of IFN-I defined as sterile inflammation. Some systemic autoimmune diseases also share common features with interferonopathies. This review aims to analyze the pathogenic role of IFN-I in these diseases as compared to AChR-MG in order to determine if AChR-MG could be an acquired interferonopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cloé A Payet
- Sorbonne University, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Center of Research in Myology, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Axel You
- Sorbonne University, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Center of Research in Myology, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Odessa-Maud Fayet
- Sorbonne University, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Center of Research in Myology, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Nadine Dragin
- Sorbonne University, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Center of Research in Myology, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Sonia Berrih-Aknin
- Sorbonne University, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Center of Research in Myology, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Rozen Le Panse
- Sorbonne University, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Center of Research in Myology, F-75013 Paris, France
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Ectopic germinal centers in the thymus accurately predict prognosis of myasthenia gravis after thymectomy. Mod Pathol 2022; 35:1168-1174. [PMID: 35338262 PMCID: PMC9424113 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01070-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The ability of thymic histopathology to predict the long-term impact of thymectomy in non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis (NTMG) is mainly uncharted. We applied digital pathology to quantitatively characterize differences of thymic histology between early-onset (EOMG) and late-onset MG (LOMG) and to investigate the role of thymic changes for thymectomy outcomes in MG. We analyzed 83 thymic H&E slides from thymectomized NTMG patients, of which 69 had EOMG and 14 LOMG, using digital pathology open-access software QuPath. We compared the results to the retrospectively assessed clinical outcome at two years after thymectomy and at the last follow-up visit where complete stable remission and minimal use of medication were primary outcomes. The automated annotation pipeline was an effective and reliable way to analyze thymic H&E samples compared to manual annotation with mean intraclass correlation of 0.80. The ratio of thymic tissue to stroma and fat was increased in EOMG compared to LOMG (p = 8.7e-07), whereas no difference was observed in the ratio of medulla to cortex between these subtypes. AChRAb seropositivity correlated with the number of ectopic germinal centers (eGC; p = 0.00067) but not with other histological areas. Patients with an increased number of eGCs had better post-thymectomy outcomes at two years after thymectomy (p = 0.0035) and at the last follow-up (p = 0.0267). ROC analysis showed that eGC area predicts thymectomy outcome in EOMG with an AUC of 0.79. Digital pathology can thus help in providing a predictive tool to the clinician, the eGC number, to guide the post-thymectomy treatment decisions in EOMG patients.
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Bortone F, Scandiffio L, Cavalcante P, Mantegazza R, Bernasconi P. Epstein-Barr Virus in Myasthenia Gravis: Key Contributing Factor Linking Innate Immunity with B-Cell-Mediated Autoimmunity. Infect Dis (Lond) 2021. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.93777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common human herpes virus latently infecting most of the world’s population with periodic reactivations, is the main environmental factor suspected to trigger and/or sustain autoimmunity by its ability to disrupt B-cell tolerance checkpoints. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a prototypic autoimmune disorder, mostly caused by autoantibodies to acetylcholine receptor (AChR) of the neuromuscular junction, which cause muscle weakness and fatigability. Most patients display hyperplastic thymus, characterized by ectopic germinal center formation, chronic inflammation, exacerbated Toll-like receptor activation, and abnormal B-cell activation. After an overview on MG clinical features and intra-thymic pathogenesis, in the present chapter, we describe our main findings on EBV presence in MG thymuses, including hyperplastic and thymoma thymuses, in relationship with innate immunity activation and data from other autoimmune conditions. Our overall data strongly indicate a critical contribution of EBV to innate immune dysregulation and sustained B-cell-mediated autoimmune response in the pathological thymus of MG patients.
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Handunnetthi L, Knezevic B, Kasela S, Burnham KL, Milani L, Irani SR, Fang H, Knight JC. Genomic Insights into Myasthenia Gravis Identify Distinct Immunological Mechanisms in Early and Late Onset Disease. Ann Neurol 2021; 90:455-463. [PMID: 34279044 PMCID: PMC8581766 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identify disease relevant genes and explore underlying immunological mechanisms that contribute to early and late onset forms of myasthenia gravis. METHODS We used a novel genomic methodology to integrate genomewide association study (GWAS) findings in myasthenia gravis with cell-type specific information, such as gene expression patterns and promotor-enhancer interactions, in order to identify disease-relevant genes. Subsequently, we conducted additional genomic investigations, including an expression quantitative analysis of 313 healthy people to provide mechanistic insights. RESULTS We identified several genes that were specifically linked to early onset myasthenia gravis including TNIP1, ORMDL3, GSDMB, and TRAF3. We showed that regulators of toll-like receptor 4 signaling were enriched among these early onset disease genes (fold enrichment = 3.85, p = 6.4 × 10-3 ). In contrast, T-cell regulators CD28 and CTLA4 were exclusively linked to late onset disease. We identified 2 causal genetic variants (rs231770 and rs231735; posterior probability = 0.98 and 0.91) near the CTLA4 gene. Subsequently, we demonstrated that these causal variants result in low expression of CTLA4 (rho = -0.66, p = 1.28 × 10-38 and rho = -0.52, p = 7.01 × 10-22 , for rs231735 and rs231770, respectively). INTERPRETATION The disease-relevant genes identified in this study are a unique resource for many disciplines, including clinicians, scientists, and the pharmaceutical industry. The distinct immunological pathways linked to early and late onset myasthenia gravis carry important implications for drug repurposing opportunities and for future studies of drug development. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:455-463.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lahiru Handunnetthi
- Wellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Nuffield Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Bogdan Knezevic
- Wellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Silva Kasela
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of GenomicsUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
| | | | - Lili Milani
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of GenomicsUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
| | - Sarosh R. Irani
- Nuffield Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Hai Fang
- Wellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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KSHV infection drives poorly cytotoxic CD56-negative natural killer cell differentiation in vivo upon KSHV/EBV dual infection. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109056. [PMID: 33951431 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpesvirus infections shape the human natural killer (NK) cell compartment. While Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) expands immature NKG2A+ NK cells, human cytomegalovirus (CMV) drives accumulation of adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells. Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a close relative of EBV, and both are associated with lymphomas, including primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), which nearly always harbors both viruses. In this study, KSHV dual infection of mice with reconstituted human immune system components leads to the accumulation of CD56-CD16+CD38+CXCR6+ NK cells. CD56-CD16+ NK cells were also more frequently found in KSHV-seropositive Kenyan children. This NK cell subset is poorly cytotoxic against otherwise-NK-cell-susceptible and antibody-opsonized targets. Accordingly, NK cell depletion does not significantly alter KSHV infection in humanized mice. These data suggest that KSHV might escape NK-cell-mediated immune control by driving CD56-CD16+ NK cell differentiation.
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8
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Detection of Microbiota from Human Thymus of Myasthenia Gravis. Indian J Surg 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12262-020-02202-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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9
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The contribution of thymic tolerance to central nervous system autoimmunity. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 43:135-157. [PMID: 33108502 PMCID: PMC7925481 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00822-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are associated with high levels of morbidity and economic cost. Research efforts have previously focused on the contribution of the peripheral adaptive and innate immune systems to CNS autoimmunity. However, a failure of thymic negative selection is a necessary step in CNS-reactive T cells escaping into the periphery. Even with defective thymic or peripheral tolerance, the development of CNS inflammation is rare. The reasons underlying this are currently poorly understood. In this review, we examine evidence implicating thymic selection in the pathogenesis of CNS autoimmunity. Animal models suggest that thymic negative selection is an important factor in determining susceptibility to and severity of CNS inflammation. There are indirect clinical data that suggest thymic function is also important in human CNS autoimmune diseases. Specifically, the association between thymoma and paraneoplastic encephalitis and changes in T cell receptor excision circles in multiple sclerosis implicate thymic tolerance in these diseases. We identify potential associations between CNS autoimmunity susceptibility factors and thymic tolerance. The therapeutic manipulation of thymopoiesis has the potential to open up new treatment modalities, but a better understanding of thymic tolerance in CNS autoimmunity is required before this can be realised.
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Zhang G, Yu Z, Shen G, Chai Y, Liang C. Association between Epstein-Barr virus and Thymic epithelial tumors: a systematic review. Infect Agent Cancer 2019; 14:32. [PMID: 31709004 PMCID: PMC6836426 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-019-0254-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The possible role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the pathogenesis of thymic epithelial tumors (TET) remains controversial. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of EBV in TET. We conducted a systematic review of relevant English-language studies published between January 1980 and December 2013. Effect size was calculated as event rates (95% confidence interval [CI]) by homogeneity testing using Cochran’s Q and I2 statistics for benign TET, benign TET with myasthenia gravis (MG), and thymic carcinoma (TC). Among 136 potentially relevant studies, 22 met the inclusion criteria. Despite a considerable degree of heterogeneity, the pooled estimated incidences were 9% (95% CI, 1–23%), 20% (95% CI, 0–54%), and 6% (95% CI, 0–21%) for benign TET, benign TET with MG, and TC, respectively. There was significant heterogeneity among studies that used in situ hybridization (ISH) for both benign TET and benign TET with MG. According to the random-effects model, studies employing ISH yielded lower point estimates of EBV prevalence (5%) than those employing other methods (33%). Using the random-effects model, we found a lack of significant heterogeneity among studies from different geographic regions (p = 0.0848). Further, 12 of 23 lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) cases tested EBV-positive. The prevalence of EBV in benign TET with or without MG was lower than in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, suggesting that EBV plays a minor role in TET pathogenesis. Although the prevalence of EBV in TC was also low, EBV may play an important causal role in LELC. Further research is needed to clarify these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofei Zhang
- 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, # 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009 China
| | - Zipu Yu
- 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, # 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009 China
| | - Gang Shen
- 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, # 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009 China
| | - Ying Chai
- 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, # 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009 China
| | - Chengxiao Liang
- 2Department of Surgery, Zhejiang Hospital, # 12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou, 310013 China
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Abstract
The contributions of the peripheral adaptive and innate immune systems to CNS autoimmunity have been extensively studied. However, the role of thymic selection in these conditions is much less well understood. The thymus is the primary lymphoid organ for the generation of T cells; thymic mechanisms ensure that cells with an overt autoreactive specificity are eliminated before they emigrate to the periphery and control the generation of thymic regulatory T cells. Evidence from animal studies demonstrates that thymic T cell selection is important for establishing tolerance to autoantigens. However, there is a considerable knowledge gap regarding the role of thymic selection in autoimmune conditions of the human CNS. In this Review, we critically examine the current body of experimental evidence for the contribution of thymic tolerance to CNS autoimmune diseases. An understanding of why dysfunction of either thymic or peripheral tolerance mechanisms rarely leads to CNS inflammation is currently lacking. We examine the potential of de novo T cell formation and thymic selection as novel therapeutic avenues and highlight areas for future study that are likely to make these targets the focus of future treatments.
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12
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Chatterjee B, Deng Y, Holler A, Nunez N, Azzi T, Vanoaica LD, Müller A, Zdimerova H, Antsiferova O, Zbinden A, Capaul R, Dreyer JH, Nadal D, Becher B, Robinson MD, Stauss H, Münz C. CD8+ T cells retain protective functions despite sustained inhibitory receptor expression during Epstein-Barr virus infection in vivo. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007748. [PMID: 31145756 PMCID: PMC6542544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most ubiquitous human pathogens in the world, persistently infecting more than 90% of the adult human population. It drives some of the strongest human CD8+ T cell responses, which can be observed during symptomatic primary infection known as infectious mononucleosis (IM). Despite high viral loads and prolonged CD8+ T cell stimulation during IM, EBV enters latency and is under lifelong immune control in most individuals that experience this disease. We investigated whether changes in T cell function, as frequently characterized by PD-1 up-regulation, occur during IM due to the prolonged exposure to high antigen levels. We readily detected the expansion of PD-1 positive CD8+ T cells together with high frequencies of Tim-3, 2B4, and KLRG1 expression during IM and in mice with reconstituted human immune system components (huNSG mice) that had been infected with a high dose of EBV. These PD-1 positive CD8+ T cells, however, retained proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxic abilities. Multiple subsets of CD8+ T cells expanded during EBV infection, including PD-1+Tim-3+KLRG1+ cells that express CXCR5 and TCF-1 germinal center homing and memory markers, and may also contain BATF3. Moreover, blocking the PD-1 axis compromised EBV specific immune control and resulted in virus-associated lymphomagenesis. Finally, PD-1+, Tim-3+, and KLRG1+ CD8+ T cell expansion coincided with declining viral loads during low dose EBV infection. These findings suggest that EBV infection primes PD-1 positive CD8+ T cell populations that rely on this receptor axis for the efficient immune control of this ubiquitous human tumor virus. Since its discovery as a tumor virus by Epstein and colleagues in 1964, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in many serious diseases, including infectious mononucleosis, Burkitt’s lymphoma, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Currently, in vivo studies are lacking to understand the comprehensive immune control of EBV in most healthy virus carriers, and, in particular, the characteristics of the CD8+ T cells involved in this process. We find that even though CD8+ T cells express multiple inhibitory receptors including PD-1 during primary EBV infection, they appear to retain an ability to produce cytokines, to kill infected cells, and to proliferate. Importantly, blocking the PD-1 pathway leads to defects in EBV-specific control and increased virus-induced tumor formation, indicating that this axis is important for viral control. This is in contrast to previous studies where releasing an inhibitory block is important for reinvigorating immune responses against cancer. Because PD-1 function is required to keep EBV in check, this study provides evidence against blocking co-inhibitory pathways in disease settings that require improved immune control of chronic virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bithi Chatterjee
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yun Deng
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angelika Holler
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Campus, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas Nunez
- Inflammation Research, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tarik Azzi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Anne Müller
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hana Zdimerova
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olga Antsiferova
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Zbinden
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Riccarda Capaul
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - David Nadal
- Inflammation Research, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Burkhard Becher
- Inflammation Research, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mark D. Robinson
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hans Stauss
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Campus, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Münz
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) or other AChR-related proteins in the postsynaptic muscle membrane. Localized or general muscle weakness is the predominant symptom and is induced by the antibodies. Patients are grouped according to the presence of antibodies, symptoms, age at onset and thymus pathology. Diagnosis is straightforward in most patients with typical symptoms and a positive antibody test, although a detailed clinical and neurophysiological examination is important in antibody-negative patients. MG therapy should be ambitious and aim for clinical remission or only mild symptoms with near-normal function and quality of life. Treatment should be based on MG subgroup and includes symptomatic treatment using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, thymectomy and immunotherapy. Intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange are fast-acting treatments used for disease exacerbations, and intensive care is necessary during exacerbations with respiratory failure. Comorbidity is frequent, particularly in elderly patients. Active physical training should be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Evoli
- Institute of Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Elisa Meacci
- Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
- Institute of Thoracic Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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15
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Barros MHM, Vera-Lozada G, Segges P, Hassan R, Niedobitek G. Revisiting the Tissue Microenvironment of Infectious Mononucleosis: Identification of EBV Infection in T Cells and Deep Characterization of Immune Profiles. Front Immunol 2019; 10:146. [PMID: 30842768 PMCID: PMC6391352 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
To aid understanding of primary EBV infection, we have performed an in depth analysis of EBV-infected cells and of local immune cells in tonsils from infectious mononucleosis (IM) patients. We show that EBV is present in approximately 50% of B-cells showing heterogeneous patterns of latent viral gene expression probably reflecting different stages of infection. While the vast majority of EBV+ cells are B-cells, around 9% express T-cell antigens, with a predominance of CD8+ over CD4+ cells. PD-L1 was expressed by a median of 14% of EBV+ cells. The numbers of EBER+PD-L1+ cells were directly correlated with the numbers of EBER+CD3+ and EBER+CD8+ cells suggesting a possible role for PD-L1 in EBV infection of T-cells. The microenvironment of IM tonsils was characterized by a predominance of M1-polarized macrophages over M2-polarized cells. However, at the T-cell level, a heterogeneous picture emerged with numerous Th1/cytotoxic cells accompanied and sometimes outnumbered by Th2/regulatory T-cells. Further, we observed a direct correlation between the numbers of Th2-like cells and EBV- B-cells. Also, a prevalence of cytotoxic T-cells over Th2-like cells was associated with an increased viral load. These observations point to contribution of B- and Th2-like cells to the control of primary EBV infection. 35% of CD8+ cells were differentiated CD8+TBET+ cells, frequently detected in post-capillary venules. An inverse correlation was observed between the numbers of CD8+TBET+ cells and viral load suggesting a pivotal role for these cells in the control of primary EBV infection. Our results provide the basis for a better understanding of immune reactions in EBV-associated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriela Vera-Lozada
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Priscilla Segges
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rocio Hassan
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gerald Niedobitek
- Institute for Pathology, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Pathology, Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg, Berlin, Germany
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16
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Yamano T, Steinert M, Steer B, Klein L, Hammerschmidt W, Adler H. B cells latently infected with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) are present in the mouse thymus-A step toward immune evasion? Eur J Immunol 2018; 49:351-352. [PMID: 30488950 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201847886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
We show that latently gammaherpesvirus-infected B cells are present in the thymus. This could result in a functional T-cell tolerance against certain viral epitopes. It is conceivable that also antigens from other viruses or pathogens may be conveyed to the thymus for their immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyoshi Yamano
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Madlen Steinert
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Beatrix Steer
- Research Unit Lung Repair and Regeneration, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Munich, Germany.,University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Ludger Klein
- Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hammerschmidt
- Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Munich, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Munich, Germany
| | - Heiko Adler
- Research Unit Lung Repair and Regeneration, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Munich, Germany.,University Hospital Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.,Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
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17
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Murer A, McHugh D, Caduff N, Kalchschmidt J, Barros M, Zbinden A, Capaul R, Niedobitek G, Allday M, Chijioke O, Münz C. EBV persistence without its EBNA3A and 3C oncogenes in vivo. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007039. [PMID: 29709016 PMCID: PMC5945050 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The oncogenic Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infects the majority of the human population and usually persists within its host for life without symptoms. The EBV oncoproteins nuclear antigen 3A (EBNA3A) and 3C (EBNA3C) are required for B cell transformation in vitro and are expressed in EBV associated immunoblastic lymphomas in vivo. In order to address the necessity of EBNA3A and EBNA3C for persistent EBV infection in vivo, we infected NOD-scid γcnull mice with reconstituted human immune system components (huNSG mice) with recombinant EBV mutants devoid of EBNA3A or EBNA3C expression. These EBV mutants established latent infection in secondary lymphoid organs of infected huNSG mice for at least 3 months, but did not cause tumor formation. Low level viral persistence in the absence of EBNA3A or EBNA3C seemed to be supported primarily by proliferation with the expression of early latent EBV gene products transitioning into absent viral protein expression without elevated lytic replication. In vitro, EBNA3A and EBNA3C deficient EBV infected B cells could be rescued from apoptosis through CD40 stimulation, mimicking T cell help in secondary lymphoid tissues. Thus, even in the absence of the oncogenes EBNA3A and 3C, EBV can access a latent gene expression pattern that is reminiscent of EBV persistence in healthy virus carriers without prior expression of its whole growth transforming program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Murer
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Donal McHugh
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Caduff
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jens Kalchschmidt
- Genomics and Immunity, NIAMS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Mario Barros
- Institute of Pathology, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Zbinden
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Riccarda Capaul
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Martin Allday
- Molecular Virology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Obinna Chijioke
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Münz
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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18
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Detection of human parvovirus B19 infection in the thymus of patients with thymic hyperplasia-associated myasthenia gravis. Clin Microbiol Infect 2018; 25:109.e7-109.e12. [PMID: 29649594 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between myasthenia gravis (MG) and human parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection in the thymus. METHODS The presence of human B19V DNA and protein was assessed in 138 samples-including 68 thymic hyperplasias (39 with MG), 58 thymomas (23 with MG), and 12 normal thymus tissues-using a nested polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, laser capture microdissection, and sequencing in a double-blinded manner. RESULTS B19V DNA was detected mainly in thymic hyperplasia, and the positivity rate (41.18%, 28/68) was significantly higher than that in thymoma (3.45%, 2/58) (p <0.001) but not that in normal thymic tissues. Correspondingly, the positivity rate in thymic hyperplasia with MG (30.77%, 12/39) was significantly higher than that in thymoma with MG (4.35%, 1/23) (p=0.021). However, it was higher in thymic hyperplasia without MG (55.17%, 16/29) than in thymic hyperplasia with MG (30.77%, 12/39) (p=0.043). Cells in thymic hyperplasia positive for B19V VP1/VP2 protein (63.24%, 43/68) were identified mainly in ectopic germinal centres and thymic corpuscle epithelial cells, but were rare in thymomas (1.72%, 1/58) (p <0.001). Moreover, the positivity rate was significantly higher in thymic hyperplasia with MG (74.36%, 29/39) than in thymic hyperplasia without MG (48.28%, 14/29) (p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, the present study is the first to show that human B19V infection is closely associated with thymic hyperplasia and thymic-hyperplasia-associated MG, but is not related to thymoma or thymoma-associated MG. The findings reveal a previously unrecognized aetiopathogenic mechanism of thymic-hyperplasia-associated MG, evoking numerous questions that require further investigation.
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19
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McHugh D, Caduff N, Barros MHM, Rämer PC, Raykova A, Murer A, Landtwing V, Quast I, Styles CT, Spohn M, Fowotade A, Delecluse HJ, Papoudou-Bai A, Lee YM, Kim JM, Middeldorp J, Schulz TF, Cesarman E, Zbinden A, Capaul R, White RE, Allday MJ, Niedobitek G, Blackbourn DJ, Grundhoff A, Münz C. Persistent KSHV Infection Increases EBV-Associated Tumor Formation In Vivo via Enhanced EBV Lytic Gene Expression. Cell Host Microbe 2018; 22:61-73.e7. [PMID: 28704654 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The human tumor viruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) establish persistent infections in B cells. KSHV is linked to primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and 90% of PELs also contain EBV. Studies on persistent KSHV infection in vivo and the role of EBV co-infection in PEL development have been hampered by the absence of small animal models. We developed mice reconstituted with human immune system components as a model for KSHV infection and find that EBV/KSHV dual infection enhanced KSHV persistence and tumorigenesis. Dual-infected cells displayed a plasma cell-like gene expression pattern similar to PELs. KSHV persisted in EBV-transformed B cells and was associated with lytic EBV gene expression, resulting in increased tumor formation. Evidence of elevated lytic EBV replication was also found in EBV/KSHV dually infected lymphoproliferative disorders in humans. Our data suggest that KSHV augments EBV-associated tumorigenesis via stimulation of lytic EBV replication.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- B-Lymphocytes/virology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Coinfection
- Cytokines/blood
- DNA, Viral/analysis
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/blood
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/immunology
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/virology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
- Genes, Viral/genetics
- Herpesviridae Infections/blood
- Herpesviridae Infections/immunology
- Herpesviridae Infections/virology
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/pathogenicity
- Herpesvirus 8, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 8, Human/pathogenicity
- Herpesvirus 8, Human/physiology
- High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
- Humans
- Lymphoma, Primary Effusion/etiology
- Lymphoma, Primary Effusion/virology
- Mice
- Neoplasms/virology
- Spleen/pathology
- Spleen/virology
- Survival Rate
- Virus Replication
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Affiliation(s)
- Donal McHugh
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Caduff
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Patrick C Rämer
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Raykova
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anita Murer
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa Landtwing
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Isaak Quast
- Neuroinflammation, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christine T Styles
- Section of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Spohn
- Virus Genomics, Heinrich Pette Institute, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adeola Fowotade
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | | | | | - Yong-Moon Lee
- Departments of Pathology and Medical Science, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jin-Man Kim
- Departments of Pathology and Medical Science, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jaap Middeldorp
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center and Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas F Schulz
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover and German Centre of Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Germany
| | - Ethel Cesarman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrea Zbinden
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Riccarda Capaul
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Robert E White
- Section of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Martin J Allday
- Section of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Adam Grundhoff
- Virus Genomics, Heinrich Pette Institute, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Münz
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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20
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Gilhus NE, Romi F, Hong Y, Skeie GO. Myasthenia gravis and infectious disease. J Neurol 2018; 265:1251-1258. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-8751-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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21
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Wang Z, Yan Y. Immunopathogenesis in Myasthenia Gravis and Neuromyelitis Optica. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1785. [PMID: 29312313 PMCID: PMC5732908 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are autoimmune channelopathies of the peripheral neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and central nervous system (CNS) that are mainly mediated by humoral immunity against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4), respectively. The diseases share some common features, including genetic predispositions, environmental factors, the breakdown of tolerance, the collaboration of T cells and B cells, imbalances in T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2/Th17/regulatory T cells, aberrant cytokine and antibody secretion, and complement system activation. However, some aspects of the immune mechanisms are unique. Both targets (AChR and AQP4) are expressed in the periphery and CNS, but MG mainly affects the NMJ in the periphery outside of CNS, whereas NMO preferentially involves the CNS. Inflammatory cells, including B cells and macrophages, often infiltrate the thymus but not the target—muscle in MG, whereas the infiltration of inflammatory cells, mainly polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages, in NMO, is always observed in the target organ—the spinal cord. A review of the common and discrepant characteristics of these two autoimmune channelopathies may expand our understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of both disorders and assist in the development of proper treatments in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Yaping Yan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
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22
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although the molecular genetics possibly underlying the pathogenesis of human thymoma have been extensively studied, its etiology remains poorly understood. Because murine polyomavirus consistently induces thymomas in mice, we assessed the presence of the novel human polyomavirus 7 (HPyV7) in human thymic epithelial tumors. METHODS HPyV7-DNA Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed in 37 thymomas. Of these, 26 were previously diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG). In addition, 20 thymic hyperplasias and 20 fetal thymic tissues were tested. RESULTS HPyV7-FISH revealed specific nuclear hybridization signals within the neoplastic epithelial cells of 23 thymomas (62.2%). With some exceptions, the HPyV7-FISH data correlated with the HPyV7-DNA PCR. By IHC, large T antigen expression of HPyV7 was detected, and double staining confirmed its expression in the neoplastic epithelial cells. Eighteen of the 26 MG-positive and 7 of the 11 MG-negative thymomas were HPyV7-positive. Of the 20 hyperplastic thymi, 40% were HPyV7-positive by PCR as confirmed by FISH and IHC in the follicular lymphocytes. All 20 fetal thymi tested HPyV7-negative. CONCLUSIONS The presence of HPyV7-DNA and large T antigen expression in the majority of thymomas possibly link HPyV7 to human thymomagenesis. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the possible associations of HPyV7 and MG.
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23
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Marx A, Porubsky S, Belharazem D, Saruhan-Direskeneli G, Schalke B, Ströbel P, Weis CA. Thymoma related myasthenia gravis in humans and potential animal models. Exp Neurol 2015; 270:55-65. [PMID: 25700911 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Thymoma-associated Myasthenia gravis (TAMG) is one of the anti-acetylcholine receptor MG (AChR-MG) subtypes. The clinico-pathological features of TAMG and its pathogenesis are described here in comparison with pathogenetic models suggested for the more common non-thymoma AChR-MG subtypes, early onset MG and late onset MG. Emphasis is put on the role of abnormal intratumorous T cell selection and activation, lack of intratumorous myoid cells and regulatory T cells as well as deficient expression of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) by neoplastic thymic epithelial cells. We review spontaneous and genetically engineered thymoma models in a spectrum of animals and the extensive clinical and immunological overlap between canine, feline and human TAMG. Finally, limitations and perspectives of the transplantation of human and murine thymoma tissue into nude mice, as potential models for TAMG, are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 13, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Stefan Porubsky
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 13, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Djeda Belharazem
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 13, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Güher Saruhan-Direskeneli
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa 34093, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Berthold Schalke
- Department of Neurology, Bezirkskrankenhaus, University of Regensburg, D-93042 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Cleo-Aron Weis
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 13, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany.
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24
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Vrolix K, Fraussen J, Losen M, Stevens J, Lazaridis K, Molenaar PC, Somers V, Bracho MA, Le Panse R, Stinissen P, Berrih-Aknin S, Maessen JG, Van Garsse L, Buurman WA, Tzartos SJ, De Baets MH, Martinez-Martinez P. Clonal heterogeneity of thymic B cells from early-onset myasthenia gravis patients with antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor. J Autoimmun 2014; 52:101-12. [PMID: 24439114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2013.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 12/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) with antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR-MG) is considered as a prototypic autoimmune disease. The thymus is important in the pathophysiology of the disease since thymus hyperplasia is a characteristic of early-onset AChR-MG and patients often improve after thymectomy. We hypothesized that thymic B cell and antibody repertoires of AChR-MG patients differ intrinsically from those of control individuals. Using immortalization with Epstein-Barr Virus and Toll-like receptor 9 activation, we isolated and characterized monoclonal B cell lines from 5 MG patients and 8 controls. Only 2 of 570 immortalized B cell clones from MG patients produced antibodies against the AChR (both clones were from the same patient), suggesting that AChR-specific B cells are not enriched in the thymus. Surprisingly, many B cell lines from both AChR-MG and control thymus samples displayed reactivity against striated muscle proteins. Striational antibodies were produced by 15% of B cell clones from AChR-MG versus 6% in control thymus. The IgVH gene sequence analysis showed remarkable similarities, concerning VH family gene distribution, mutation frequency and CDR3 composition, between B cells of AChR-MG patients and controls. MG patients showed clear evidence of clonal B cell expansion in contrast to controls. In this latter aspect, MG resembles multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome, but differs from systemic lupus erythematosus. Our results support an antigen driven immune response in the MG thymus, but the paucity of AChR-specific B cells, in combination with the observed polyclonal expansions suggest a more diverse immune response than expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Vrolix
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Judith Fraussen
- Neuroimmunology group, Biomedical Research Institute and Transnationale Universiteit Limburg, School of Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Mario Losen
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jo Stevens
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Peter C Molenaar
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Veerle Somers
- Neuroimmunology group, Biomedical Research Institute and Transnationale Universiteit Limburg, School of Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Maria Alma Bracho
- Centre Superior d'Investigació en Salut Pública (CSISP), Àrea de Genòmica i Salut, Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana, València, Spain; Institut "Cavanilles" de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva (ICBiBE), Universitat de València, València, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain
| | - Rozen Le Panse
- UPMC UM 76/INSERM U974/CNRS UMR7215/Institute of Myology, 105 Bd de l'hôpital, Paris, France
| | - Piet Stinissen
- Neuroimmunology group, Biomedical Research Institute and Transnationale Universiteit Limburg, School of Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sonia Berrih-Aknin
- UPMC UM 76/INSERM U974/CNRS UMR7215/Institute of Myology, 105 Bd de l'hôpital, Paris, France
| | - Jos G Maessen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Leen Van Garsse
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Wim A Buurman
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Socrates J Tzartos
- Department of Biochemistry, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, GR 11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Marc H De Baets
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; Neuroimmunology group, Biomedical Research Institute and Transnationale Universiteit Limburg, School of Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Pilar Martinez-Martinez
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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25
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Jing F, Wei D, Wang D, Li N, Cui F, Yang F, Chen Z, Huang X. Lack of Epstein-Barr virus infection in Chinese myasthenia gravis patients. Acta Neurol Scand 2013; 128:345-50. [PMID: 23668247 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are three recent contradictory reports on the incidence of Epstein-Barr virus in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis, with all studies carried out in Caucasian patients. The current study evaluated whether Epstein-Barr virus infection had a role in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis in a cohort of 30 Chinese patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Serial paraffin sections of thymic hyperplasia obtained from myasthenia gravis patients were analyzed for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA -1 and Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Epstein-Barr virus(+) cervical lymph nodes from lymphoma patients and Epstein-Barr virus(-) thymus specimens obtained during cardiac surgery served as the positive and negative control groups, respectively. RESULTS All the 30 myasthenia gravis specimens were negative for both Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA -1 and Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 tests. However, we obtained well-characterized membrane and cytoplasmic immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization staining for both Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA -1, respectively, in the positive control samples. CONCLUSIONS Our results therefore do not support a role of thymic Epstein-Barr virus infection in myasthenia gravis pathogenesis and calls for an integration of methodological and interpretation issues in detecting Epstein-Barr virus incidence in myasthenia gravis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Jing
- Department of Neurology; Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing China; Beijing; China
| | - D. Wei
- PLA 309 Hospital; Beijing; China
| | - D. Wang
- Department of Pathology; Chinese PLA General Hospital; Beijing; China
| | - N. Li
- PLA 309 Hospital; Beijing; China
| | - F. Cui
- Department of Neurology; Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing China; Beijing; China
| | - F. Yang
- Department of Neurology; Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing China; Beijing; China
| | - Z. Chen
- Department of Neurology; Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing China; Beijing; China
| | - X. Huang
- Department of Neurology; Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing China; Beijing; China
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Weiss JM, Cufi P, Le Panse R, Berrih-Aknin S. The thymus in autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis: Paradigm for a tertiary lymphoid organ. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2013; 169:640-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2013.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Revised: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Berrih-Aknin S, Ragheb S, Le Panse R, Lisak RP. Ectopic germinal centers, BAFF and anti-B-cell therapy in myasthenia gravis. Autoimmun Rev 2013; 12:885-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2013.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Cavalcante P, Cufi P, Mantegazza R, Berrih-Aknin S, Bernasconi P, Le Panse R. Etiology of myasthenia gravis: Innate immunity signature in pathological thymus. Autoimmun Rev 2013; 12:863-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2013.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Cufi P, Dragin N, Weiss JM, Martinez-Martinez P, De Baets MH, Roussin R, Fadel E, Berrih-Aknin S, Le Panse R. Implication of double-stranded RNA signaling in the etiology of autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Ann Neurol 2012; 73:281-93. [PMID: 23280437 DOI: 10.1002/ana.23791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2011] [Revised: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease mediated mainly by anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. The thymus plays a primary role in MG pathogenesis. As we recently showed an inflammatory and antiviral signature in MG thymuses, we investigated whether pathogen-sensing molecules could contribute to an anti-AChR response. METHODS We studied the effects of toll-like receptor agonists on the expression of α-AChR and various tissue-specific antigens (TSAs) in human thymic epithelial cell (TEC) cultures. As polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C]), which mimics double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), stimulated specifically α-AChR expression, the signaling pathways involved were investigated. In parallel, we analyzed the expression of dsRNA-signaling components in the thymus of MG patients, and the relevance of our data was investigated in vivo in poly(I:C)-injected mice. RESULTS We demonstrate that dsRNA signaling induced by poly(I:C) specifically triggers the overexpression of α-AChR in TECs and not of other TSAs. A poly(I:C) effect was also observed on MG TECs. This induction is mediated through toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and protein kinase R (PKR), and by the release of interferon (IFN)-β. In parallel, human MG thymuses also display an overexpression of TLR3, PKR, and IFN-β. In addition, poly(I:C) injections specifically increase thymic expression of α-AChR in wild-type mice, but not in IFN-I receptor knockout mice. These injections also lead to an anti-AChR autoimmune response characterized by a significant production of serum anti-AChR antibodies and a specific proliferation of B cells. INTERPRETATION Because anti-AChR antibodies are highly specific for MG and are pathogenic, dsRNA-signaling activation could contribute to the etiology of MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perrine Cufi
- Research unit CNRS UMR7215/INSERM U974/UPMC UM76/AIM - Institute of Myology - Therapies of the disorders of striated muscle Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
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Croia C, Serafini B, Bombardieri M, Kelly S, Humby F, Severa M, Rizzo F, Coccia EM, Migliorini P, Aloisi F, Pitzalis C. Epstein–Barr virus persistence and infection of autoreactive plasma cells in synovial lymphoid structures in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2012; 72:1559-68. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-202352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) should be classified according to antibody status (acetylcholine, MuSK, LRP4, titin), thymus (hyperplasia, neoplasia, atrophy), age at debut (< or >50 years), symptom localization (generalized, ocular) and severity. With optimal treatment, the prognosis is good in terms of daily functions, quality of life and survival. Symptomatic treatment with acetylcholine esterase is usually combined with immunosuppression. A combination of prednisolone and azathioprine remains the first choice alternative, whereas rituximab is a promising second choice drug for severe generalized MG. Thymectomy is recommended for early-onset, generalized MG and for thymoma MG. In acute exacerbations including MG crisis, intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange have good and similar effects. MG in young females needs therapeutic considerations regarding potential pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Erik Gilhus
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
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Peery HE, Day GS, Dunn S, Fritzler MJ, Prüss H, De Souza C, Doja A, Mossman K, Resch L, Xia C, Sakic B, Belbeck L, Foster WG. Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. The disorder, the diagnosis and the immunobiology. Autoimmun Rev 2012; 11:863-72. [PMID: 22440397 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2012.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is a newly characterized syndrome with a progressive, predictable clinical course and the possibility of effective treatment. Accurate and timely diagnosis is critical to selection and implementation of treatments, and optimal patient outcomes. Outcomes are improved with early diagnosis via indirect immunofluorescence or cell-based assays, and the rapid and appropriate administration of immunosuppressant and anti-psychotic therapies. Three possible scenarios accounting for the immunopathogenesis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis are presented, with the most probable one being that of paraneoplastic autoimmunity. Future efforts in this disorder should focus on elucidating the mechanisms that contribute to initiation of this antibody response, as well as exploring the role of tumors, infectious triggers and immune-reactivation. Finally, accessible tools need to be developed that allow for reliable identification of specific antibody markers against synaptic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry E Peery
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Biology, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5.
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Niller HH, Minarovits J. EBV, autoimmunity and dual T-cell receptors. Future Virol 2012. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl.12.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hans Helmut Niller
- Institute for Medical Microbiology & Hygiene at the University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Janos Minarovits
- Microbiological Research Group, National Center for Epidemiology, H-1529 Budapest, Piheno u. 1, Hungary
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Csuka D, Banati M, Rozsa C, Füst G, Illes Z. High anti-EBNA-1 IgG levels are associated with early-onset myasthenia gravis. Eur J Neurol 2012; 19:842-6. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2011.03636.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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