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Tunçer Çağlayan S, Elibol B, Severcan F, Basar Gursoy E, Tiftikcioglu BI, Gungordu Dalar Z, Celik C, Dai AS, Karaçam S. Insights from CD71 presentation and serum lipid peroxidation in myasthenia gravis - A small cohort study. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 140:112787. [PMID: 39088914 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a multifaceted autoimmune disorder affecting the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction. In this study, we examined CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte levels and ratios within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in MG patients. Additionally, we assessed lymphocytes for the expression of CD71, which functions as a transferrin receptor mediating the uptake of iron into the cells. Building on recent discussions regarding CD20 depletion treatments in MG, we also scrutinized lymphocytes for CD20 expression. Comparative analyses were conducted among healthy controls, newly diagnosed MG patients, those undergoing pyridostigmine treatment alone, and MG patients receiving combination therapies. In the patients, the ratio of CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes to CD3+ T lymphocytes was found to be decreased compared to the healthy controls, while the ratio of CD3+CD8+ cells to CD3+CD4+ cells increased. An increase in the percentage of CD71-expressing lymphocytes was observed in MG patients compared to the healthy control group, while CD20+ lymphocytes exhibited no statistical changes. Moreover, heightened serum lipid peroxidation levels were found in MG patients. These results suggest a possible relationship between iron metabolism, levels of CD71-expressing cells, and lipid peroxidation in MG. Conversely, pyridostigmine treatment reduced the levels of CD71-expressing cells and lipid peroxidation, suggesting potential immunomodulatory and antioxidant impacts of pyridostigmine in MG, either directly or indirectly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinem Tunçer Çağlayan
- Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, Vocational School of Health Services, Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Bilecik, Turkey.
| | - Birsen Elibol
- Istanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Feride Severcan
- Altınbaş University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biophysics, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Esra Basar Gursoy
- Bezmialem Vakıf University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Zeynep Gungordu Dalar
- Altınbaş University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ceren Celik
- Altınbaş University, Institute of Graduate Studies, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayse Suna Dai
- Istanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sevinç Karaçam
- Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, Department of Biotechnology, Bilecik, Turkey
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Evoli A, Palace J, Spagni G, Cheli M, Ruiter A, Verschuuren J, Maggi L. 275th ENMC international workshop: Seronegative myasthenia gravis: An update paradigm for diagnosis and management, 9-11 February 2024, Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. Neuromuscul Disord 2024; 44:104468. [PMID: 39427494 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2024.104468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2024] [Accepted: 10/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/22/2024]
Abstract
The 275th ENMC workshop on the diagnosis and management of seronegative myasthenia gravis (SNMG) was held on February 9-11, 2024. The participants included experts in the field of adult and pediatric MG together with patient representatives. This workshop aimed to redefine SNMG in view of recent diagnostic and therapeutic updates and to identify patient unmet needs. The workshop has highlighted considerable challenges in the SNMG diagnostic work-up. To date, SNMG confirmation is often controversial, given the absence of specific diagnostic tests; no recommendations from international panels of experts are available in literature; myopathies, congenital myasthenic syndromes and functional disorders are the commonest misdiagnoses. Improving the disease diagnosis is crucial to avoid long delays in receiving appropriate treatment. To this purpose, a comprehensive diagnostic algorithm achieved consensus. Moreover, a remarkable variability in SNMG response to therapy and long-term prognosis has also been highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Evoli
- Neuroscience Department, Università Cattolica, Roma, Italy
| | - Jacqueline Palace
- Department Clinical Neurology, Nuffiled Department of Clinical Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Gregorio Spagni
- Department of Neurosciences, Drugs and Child Health, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Marta Cheli
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Instituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Annabel Ruiter
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Verschuuren
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden 2333 ZA, the Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Instituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy.
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Ma C, Liu D, Wang B, Yang Y, Zhu R. Advancements and prospects of novel biologicals for myasthenia gravis: toward personalized treatment based on autoantibody specificities. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1370411. [PMID: 38881870 PMCID: PMC11177092 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1370411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an antibody-mediated autoimmune disease with a prevalence of 150-250 cases per million individuals. Autoantibodies include long-lived antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), mainly of the IgG1 subclass, and IgG4, produced almost exclusively by short-lived plasmablasts, which are prevalent in muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) myasthenia gravis. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that MG patients receiving conventional medication today still do not possess satisfactory symptom control, indicating a substantial disease burden. Subsequently, based on the type of the autoantibody and the pathogenesis, we synthesized the published material to date and reached a conclusion regarding the literature related to personalized targeted therapy for MG. Novel agents for AChR MG have shown their efficacy in clinical research, such as complement inhibitors, FcRn receptor antagonists, and B-cell activating factor (BAFF) inhibitors. Rituximab, a representative drug of anti-CD20 therapy, has demonstrated benefits in treatment of MuSK MG patients. Due to the existence of low-affinity antibodies or unidentified antibodies that are inaccessible by existing methods, the treatment for seronegative MG remains complicated; thus, special testing and therapy considerations are necessary. It may be advantageous to initiate the application of novel biologicals at an early stage of the disease. Currently, therapies can also be combined and individualized according to different types of antibodies. With such a wide range of drugs, how to tailor treatment strategies to patients with various conditions and find the most suitable solution for each MG profile are our necessary and urgent aims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Ma
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Benqiao Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yingying Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ruixia Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Okuzono Y, Miyakawa S, Itou T, Sagara M, Iwata M, Ishizuchi K, Sekiguchi K, Motegi H, Oyama M, Warude D, Kikukawa Y, Suzuki S. B-cell immune dysregulation with low soluble CD22 levels in refractory seronegative myasthenia gravis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1382320. [PMID: 38711503 PMCID: PMC11071663 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1382320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG), primarily caused by acetylcholine receptor (AChR) autoantibodies, is a chronic autoimmune disorder causing severe muscle weakness and fatigability. In particular, seronegative MG constitutes 10%-15% of MG cases and presents diagnostic challenges especially in early-onset female patients who often show severe disease and resistance to immunosuppressive therapy. Furthermore, the immunopathology of seronegative MG remains unclear. Thus, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of seronegative MG using scRNA-seq analysis and plasma proteome analysis; in particular, we investigated the relationship between immune dysregulation status and disease severity in refractory seronegative MG. Employing single-cell RNA-sequencing and plasma proteome analyses, we analyzed peripheral blood samples from 30 women divided into three groups: 10 healthy controls, 10 early-onset AChR-positive MG, and 10 refractory early-onset seronegative MG patients, both before and after intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. The disease severity was evaluated using the MG-Activities of Daily Living (ADL), MG composite (MGC), and revised 15-item MG-Quality of Life (QOL) scales. We observed numerical abnormalities in multiple immune cells, particularly B cells, in patients with refractory seronegative MG, correlating with disease activity. Notably, severe MG cases had fewer regulatory T cells without functional abnormalities. Memory B cells were found to be enriched in peripheral blood cells compared with naïve B cells. Moreover, plasma proteome analysis indicated significantly lower plasma protein levels of soluble CD22, expressed in the lineage of B-cell maturation (including mature B cells and memory B cells), in refractory seronegative MG patients than in healthy donors or patients with AChR-positive MG. Soluble CD22 levels were correlated with disease severity, B-cell frequency, and RNA expression levels of CD22. In summary, this study elucidates the immunopathology of refractory seronegative MG, highlighting immune disorders centered on B cells and diminished soluble CD22 levels. These insights pave the way for novel MG treatment strategies focused on B-cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuumi Okuzono
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit Japan, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shuuichi Miyakawa
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit Japan, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Itou
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit Japan, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masaki Sagara
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit Japan, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masashi Iwata
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit Japan, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kei Ishizuchi
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Sekiguchi
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Motegi
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Neurology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Munenori Oyama
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Dnyaneshwar Warude
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit Japan, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kikukawa
- Oncology Drug Discovery Unit Japan, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shigeaki Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Cohen NE, Cook AC, Narvel R. Development of Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Patient With Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis: A Case Report and Review of Literature. Cureus 2024; 16:e56086. [PMID: 38618351 PMCID: PMC11009897 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
We present the case report of a patient with seronegative myasthenia gravis (MG) who was admitted for metabolic encephalopathy and acute on chronic hypoxic respiratory failure secondary to an MG crisis three days after an intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. In the intensive care unit, her MG was managed with intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, prednisone, and pyridostigmine. During the course of her visit, she had urosepsis along with a left chest port that had cultured positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and developed a right upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) and superficial thrombosis in the left upper extremity despite being on heparin therapy. She had a transient drop in platelets to below 150,000 that resolved within a day. We analyzed the variables of this case report and reviewed the literature of similar cases to elucidate the factors that may have led to the development of the UEDVTs. The patient had many factors in her past medical history that could have contributed to her thrombosis including morbid obesity and prior history of pulmonary embolisms. It is hypothesized that MG disturbs the endothelial cell lining through an increased inflammatory state that could also be a causative factor. There is no definitive way we could link MG as a causative factor due to a lack of testing to assess alteration in the integrity or functionality of her endothelium. A case report we reviewed showed a presentation of UEDVT in an MG patient due to a thymoma compressing the subclavian vein. However, this is not the case in this example due to the patient having a history of thymectomy. She was also at risk due to her hospital stay which led to immobility and placement of a central venous catheter. We conclude the formation of the UEDVT was likely a combination of these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan E Cohen
- Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, USA
| | - Andrew C Cook
- Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, USA
| | - Ravish Narvel
- Internal Medicine, Ascension St. Vincent's Riverside, Jacksonville, USA
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Mehnert A, Bershan S, Kollmus-Heege J, Gerischer L, Herdick ML, Hoffmann S, Lehnerer S, Scheibe F, Stascheit F, Stein M, Buchan AM, Meisel A, Aigner A, Mergenthaler P. Identifying patients at risk for myasthenic crisis with hemogram and inflammation-related laboratory parameters - a pilot study. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1297997. [PMID: 38469587 PMCID: PMC10925644 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1297997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by fatigable weakness of the voluntary muscles and can exacerbate to life-threatening myasthenic crisis (MC), requiring intensive care treatment. Routine laboratory parameters are a cost-effective and widely available method for estimating the clinical outcomes of several diseases, but so far, such parameters have not been established to detect disease progression in MG. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of selected laboratory parameters related to inflammation and hemogram for MG patients with MC compared to MG patients without MC. To identify potential risk factors for MC, we applied time-varying Cox regression for time to MC and, as a sensitivity analysis, generalized estimating equations logistic regression for the occurrence of MC at the next patient visit. Results 15 of the 58 examined MG patients suffered at least one MC. There was no notable difference in the occurrence of MC by antibody status or sex. Both regression models showed that higher counts of basophils (per 0.01 unit increase: HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.02-1.70), neutrophils (per 1 unit increase: HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.14-1.72), potentially leukocytes (per 1 unit increase: HR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.99-1.34), and platelets (per 100 units increase: HR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.99-2.38) may indicate increased risk for a myasthenic crisis. Conclusion This pilot study provides proof of the concept that increased counts of basophils, neutrophils, leukocytes, and platelets may be associated with a higher risk of developing MC in patients with MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mehnert
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sivan Bershan
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jil Kollmus-Heege
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lea Gerischer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Neuroscience Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Meret Luise Herdick
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Neuroscience Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah Hoffmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Neuroscience Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie Lehnerer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Neuroscience Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Digital Health Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Scheibe
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frauke Stascheit
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Neuroscience Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maike Stein
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Neuroscience Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alastair M. Buchan
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Meisel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Neuroscience Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Aigner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Mergenthaler
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Sansoni J, Menon N, Viali L, White S, Vucic S. Clinical features, treatments, their impact, and quality of life for Myasthenia Gravis patients in Australia. J Clin Neurosci 2023; 118:16-22. [PMID: 37844489 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2023.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
This survey provides an update on the experience of Myasthenia Gravis (MG) patients in Australia. Items were drawn from the 2011 Australian Survey and a 2019 US survey allowing for comparative discussion of survey findings. Patients were recruited through the Myasthenia Alliance Australia. Following consent, patients completed an online survey using REDCap software. Questions included demographics, clinical features, treatment side-effects and quality of life (QOL) scales. Samples for completion of survey sections ranged from N = 242-280 representing a power level of over 80%. Female and seronegative patients reported a significantly greater symptom load, earlier disease onset, longer time to diagnosis, more MG exacerbations, treatment side-effects, and poorer QOL. For exacerbation management there was a higher rate of oral corticosteroid use (66%), a lower use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg, 47%) and particularly, Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE, 4.5%) within this sample. Although steroid induced side-effects were rarer (9-34%), a comparatively high use of corticosteroids was reported for current and overall treatments including those for MG crises (52-83%). Common treatment side-effects reported by 57-85% of patients, included fatigue, weight gain, a decrease in the ability to fight infections, gastrointestinal symptoms, and muscle weakness. The impact of MG on daily activities and QOL was considerable, but those who had a thymectomy reported better QOL. The survey identified areas for potential practice improvement in MG treatments (corticosteroids, IVIg, TPE), particularly for exacerbation management, and review is recommended. Further research on gender and antibody status differentials regarding clinical features is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Sansoni
- Biological Data Science Institute, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; Health Outcomes Collaboration, 2 Bramston St, Fadden, ACT 2904, Australia.
| | - Nidhi Menon
- Biological Data Science Institute, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Lachlan Viali
- Biological Data Science Institute, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Susan White
- Myasthenia Alliance Australia, 17 Aldridge Ave, Corrimal East, NSW 2518, Australia; Myasthenia Gravis Association of Queensland Inc., PO Box16, Mt Gravatt, Queensland 4122, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, University of Sydney Concord Clinical School, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia
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Zhong H, Huan X, Zhao R, Su M, Yan C, Song J, Xi J, Zhao C, Luo F, Luo S. Peripheral immune landscape for hypercytokinemia in myasthenic crisis utilizing single-cell transcriptomics. J Transl Med 2023; 21:564. [PMID: 37620910 PMCID: PMC10464341 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04421-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myasthenia gravis (MG) is the most prevalent autoimmune disorder affecting the neuromuscular junction. A rapid deterioration in respiratory muscle can lead to a myasthenic crisis (MC), which represents a life-threatening condition with high mortality in MG. Multiple CD4+ T subsets and hypercytokinemia have been identified in the peripheral pro-inflammatory milieu during the crisis. However, the pathogenesis is complicated due to the many types of cells involved, leaving the underlying mechanism largely unexplored. METHODS We conducted single-cell transcriptomic and immune repertoire sequencing on 33,577 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from two acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR +) MG patients during MC and again three months post-MC. We followed the Scanpy workflow for quality control, dimension reduction, and clustering of the single-cell data. Subsequently, we annotated high-resolution cell types utilizing transfer-learning models derived from publicly available single-cell immune datasets. RNA velocity calculations from unspliced and spliced mRNAs were applied to infer cellular state progression. We analyzed cell communication and MG-relevant cytokines and chemokines to identify potential inflammation initiators. RESULTS We identified a unique subset of monocytes, termed monocytes 3 (FCGR3B+ monocytes), which exhibited significant differential expression of pro-inflammatory signaling pathways during and after the crisis. In line with the activated innate immune state indicated by MC, a high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was confirmed in an additional 22 AChR + MC patients in subsequent hemogram analysis and was associated with MG-relevant clinical scores. Furthermore, oligoclonal expansions were identified in age-associated B cells exhibiting high autoimmune activity, and in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells demonstrating persistent T exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS In summary, our integrated analysis of single-cell transcriptomics and TCR/BCR sequencing has underscored the role of innate immune activation which is associated with hypercytokinemia in MC. The identification of a specific monocyte cluster that dominates the peripheral immune profile may provide some hints into the etiology and pathology of MC. However, future functional studies are required to explore causality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huahua Zhong
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Xiao Huan
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Manqiqige Su
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Chong Yan
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jie Song
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jianying Xi
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Chongbo Zhao
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Feifei Luo
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Sushan Luo
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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Stascheit F, Aigner A, Mergenthaler P, Hotter B, Hoffmann S, Lehnerer S, Meisel C, Meisel A. Serum neurofilament light chain in myasthenia gravis subgroups: An exploratory cohort and case-Control study. Front Neurol 2023; 13:1056322. [PMID: 36712429 PMCID: PMC9875128 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1056322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to evaluate the association of neurofilament light chain (Nfl) with neuromuscular destruction and disease severity in the serum of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Materials and methods Sera from 134 patients with MG with varying degrees of disease severity and autoantibody (Abs) status were analyzed and compared to controls in a cross-sectional design. Prospectively, we additionally measured serum NfL (sNfl) levels in patients with MG longitudinally for up to 3 years. Based on linear regression, differences between patients and controls were assessed. With correlation coefficients and mixed linear regression, the association among sNfl levels, socio-demographics, disease activity (Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score and Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scale), Abs-status (acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Abs), muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase antibody (MuSK-Abs), lipoprotein-related protein 4 (LRP4), and seronegative), Abs titer, treatment regime (pyridostigmine, steroids, and immunosuppressive therapies), and thymectomy were investigated. Results sNfl levels were higher in patients with MG compared to controls (median: 11.2 vs. 7.88), where sNfl levels were highest in anti-AChR-Abs positive patients (median 12.6), followed by anti-MuSK-Abs positive, anti-LRP4-Abs positive, and seronegative patients. Adjusting for age and sex, sNfl levels of patients with MG were on average 35% higher compared to controls (35.1, 95% CI: 8.4;68.3) and highest for patients with seronegative MG (44.35; 95% CI 16.47; 78.90). We found no relevant relationship between individual changes in sNfl and changes in QMG and MG-ADL scores. Conclusion sNfl levels are higher in patients with MG than in controls but were not consistently associated with clinical severity. Thus, sNfl is not a suitable biomarker to monitor individual disease progression in patients with MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frauke Stascheit
- Department of Neurology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,*Correspondence: Frauke Stascheit ✉
| | - Annette Aigner
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Mergenthaler
- Department of Neurology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Benjamin Hotter
- Department of Neurology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah Hoffmann
- Department of Neurology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie Lehnerer
- NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Meisel
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Labor Berlin, Charité Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Meisel
- Department of Neurology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Integrated Myasthenia Gravis Center, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
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10
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Total Plasma Exchange in Neuromuscular Junction Disorders—A Single-Center, Retrospective Analysis of the Efficacy, Safety and Potential Diagnostic Properties in Doubtful Diagnosis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154383. [PMID: 35955999 PMCID: PMC9369332 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular junction disorders (NJDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases including myasthenia gravis (MG). In some cases, patients are present with myasthenic symptoms without evidence of autoimmune antibodies, making diagnosis challenging. Total plasma exchange (TPE) has proven efficacy in NJDs. The objective is to describe the safety and efficacy of TPE in NJD patients with questionable disease activity or uncertain diagnosis in order to assess the diagnostic potential of TPE. We report an observational, retrospective cohort study of clinical routine data. All the data were derived from the electronic medical records of the Department of Neurology at University Hospital Essen. We searched for patients with NJDs between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2021. Of the 303 patients who presented to the department with NJDs, 20 were treated with TPE; 9 patients did not show a measurable benefit from TPE (45%), 6 of whom were diagnosed with seronegative MG. Of these, 3 (50%) had long-standing ocular symptoms. There were decreases in the mean arterial pressure, hemoglobin, hematocrit and fibrinogen during treatment, which were not considered clinically relevant. In (seronegative) myasthenic patients, TPE may help to verify an uncertain diagnosis or to reveal possible muscle damage, allowing unnecessary therapy to be avoided.
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11
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Wang Y, Huan X, Jiao K, Jiang Q, Goh LY, Shi J, Lv Z, Xi J, Song J, Yan C, Lin J, Zhu W, Zhu X, Zhou Z, Xia R, Luo S, Zhao C. Plasma exchange versus intravenous immunoglobulin in AChR subtype myasthenic crisis: A prospective cohort study. Clin Immunol 2022; 241:109058. [PMID: 35690385 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.109058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Myasthenic crisis (MC) is a life-threatening state with respiratory failure in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). The fast-acting immunomodulatory therapies for treating MC included plasma exchange (PE) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). However, the efficacy and the impact on antibody changes remained unknown. We prospectively followed 40 anti-acetylcholine receptors (AChR) antibody-positive MC patients who received either PE (n = 12) or IVIG (n = 28) at crisis. PE was associated with a reduced ICU stay length (p = 0.018) and an early response by the average changes in MGFA-QMG (p = 0.003), MMT (p = 0.020), and ADL (p = 0.011) at one-week off-ventilation. However, the clinical efficacy was equally comparable in both groups after 1 month. Post-treatment hemoglobin drop was significant in both groups, while IVIG was associated with a significant reduction in anti-AChR antibody titers (p < 0.001). This analysis provides real-world evidence in supporting the use of PE as a fast-acting therapy for shortening the ICU stay in AChR-associated MC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xiao Huan
- Huashan Rare disease centre, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Kexin Jiao
- Huashan Rare disease centre, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Qilong Jiang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Ying Goh
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jianquan Shi
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiguo Lv
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Jianying Xi
- Huashan Rare disease centre, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jie Song
- Huashan Rare disease centre, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Chong Yan
- Huashan Rare disease centre, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jie Lin
- Huashan Rare disease centre, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Wenhua Zhu
- Huashan Rare disease centre, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xinfang Zhu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zhirui Zhou
- Radiation Oncology Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Xia
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Sushan Luo
- Huashan Rare disease centre, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Chongbo Zhao
- Huashan Rare disease centre, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai 200040, China.
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