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Wang T, Wang B, Fan X, Cai Y, Li L, Fu S. Type B thymomas in patients with myasthenia gravis display a distinctive pattern of αβ TCR and IL-7 receptor α expression on CD4 +CD8 + thymocytes. Autoimmunity 2024; 57:2347379. [PMID: 38723105 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2024.2347379] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Thymoma is closely associated with myasthenia gravis (MG). However, due to the heterogeneity of thymoma and the intricate pathogenesis of MG, it remains unclear why some patients with thymoma develop MG and others do not. In this study, we conducted a comparative phenotype analysis of thymocytes in type B thymomas in patients with MG (MG (+) thymomas) and without MG (MG (-) thymomas) via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Our results show that the developmental stages defined by the expression of CD3, CD4, and CD8 were largely maintained in both MG (+) and MG (-) thymomas, with CD4+CD8+ cells constituting the majority of thymocytes in type B thymoma, and no significant difference between this cell population was observed in MG (+) and MG (-) thymomas.We discovered that CD4+CD8+ thymocytes in MG (+) thymomas expressed low levels of αβ TCR and high levels of IL-7 receptor α (IL-7Rα), whereas in MG (-) thymomas, CD4+CD8+ thymocytes exhibited the opposite pattern of αβ TCR and IL-7Rα expression. These results suggest that the positive and negative selection processes of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes might differ between MG (+) thymomas and MG (-) thymomas. The expression of the Helios transcription factor is induced during negative selection and marks a group of T cells that have undergone negative selection and are likely to be deleted due to strong TCR binding with self-peptides/MHC ligands. We observed that the percentage of Helios-positive CD4SP T cells was greater in MG (-) than in MG (+) thymomas. Thus, the differentially regulated selection process of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, which involves TCR and IL-7/IL-7Rα signaling, is associated with the presence of MG in type B thymomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianlai Wang
- Thoracic Surgery Laboratory, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Boyu Wang
- Thoracic Surgery Laboratory, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaowu Fan
- Thoracic Surgery Laboratory, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yixin Cai
- Thoracic Surgery Laboratory, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lequn Li
- Thoracic Surgery Laboratory, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shengling Fu
- Thoracic Surgery Laboratory, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Perrino M, Voulaz E, Balin S, Cazzato G, Fontana E, Franzese S, Defendi M, De Vincenzo F, Cordua N, Tamma R, Borea F, Aliprandi M, Airoldi M, Cecchi LG, Fazio R, Alloisio M, Marulli G, Santoro A, Di Tommaso L, Ingravallo G, Russo L, Da Rin G, Villa A, Della Bella S, Zucali PA, Mavilio D. Autoimmunity in thymic epithelial tumors: a not yet clarified pathologic paradigm associated with several unmet clinical needs. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1288045. [PMID: 38629065 PMCID: PMC11018877 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1288045] [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: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare mediastinal cancers originating from the thymus, classified in two main histotypes: thymoma and thymic carcinoma (TC). TETs affect a primary lymphoid organ playing a critical role in keeping T-cell homeostasis and ensuring an adequate immunological tolerance against "self". In particular, thymomas and not TC are frequently associated with autoimmune diseases (ADs), with Myasthenia Gravis being the most common AD present in 30% of patients with thymoma. This comorbidity, in addition to negatively affecting the quality and duration of patients' life, reduces the spectrum of the available therapeutic options. Indeed, the presence of autoimmunity represents an exclusion criteria for the administration of the newest immunotherapeutic treatments with checkpoint inhibitors. The pathophysiological correlation between TETs and autoimmunity remains a mystery. Several studies have demonstrated the presence of a residual and active thymopoiesis in adult patients affected by thymomas, especially in mixed and lymphocytic-rich thymomas, currently known as type AB and B thymomas. The aim of this review is to provide the state of art in regard to the histological features of the different TET histotype, to the role of the different immune cells infiltrating tumor microenvironments and their impact in the break of central immunologic thymic tolerance in thymomas. We discuss here both cellular and molecular immunologic mechanisms inducing the onset of autoimmunity in TETs, limiting the portfolio of therapeutic strategies against TETs and greatly impacting the prognosis of associated autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Perrino
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Voulaz
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Balin
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gerardo Cazzato
- Section of Pathology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Elena Fontana
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy
- Human Genome and Biomedical Technologies Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Franzese
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Defendi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio De Vincenzo
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Cordua
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neurosciences (DiBraiN), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Borea
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Aliprandi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Airoldi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Giovanni Cecchi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Fazio
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Alloisio
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marulli
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Armando Santoro
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Di Tommaso
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ingravallo
- Section of Pathology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Laura Russo
- Clinical Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Da Rin
- Clinical Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Villa
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Della Bella
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Andrea Zucali
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Ao YQ, Jiang JH, Gao J, Wang HK, Ding JY. Recent thymic emigrants as the bridge between thymoma and autoimmune diseases. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188730. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Uzawa A, Kuwabara S, Suzuki S, Imai T, Murai H, Ozawa Y, Yasuda M, Nagane Y, Utsugisawa K. Roles of cytokines and T cells in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis. Clin Exp Immunol 2020; 203:366-374. [PMID: 33184844 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue caused by the presence of autoantibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or the muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK). Activated T, B and plasma cells, as well as cytokines, play important roles in the production of pathogenic autoantibodies and the induction of inflammation at the neuromuscular junction in MG. Many studies have focused on the role of cytokines and lymphocytes in anti-AChR antibody-positive MG. Chronic inflammation mediated by T helper type 17 (Th17) cells, the promotion of autoantibody production from B cells and plasma cells by follicular Th (Tfh) cells and the activation of the immune response by dysfunction of regulatory T (Treg ) cells may contribute to the exacerbation of the MG pathogenesis. In fact, an increased number of Th17 cells and Tfh cells and dysfunction of Treg cells have been reported in patients with anti-AChR antibody-positive MG; moreover, the number of these cells was correlated with clinical parameters in patients with MG. Regarding cytokines, interleukin (IL)-17; a Th17-related cytokine, IL-21 (a Tfh-related cytokine), the B-cell-activating factor (BAFF; a B cell-related cytokine) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL; a B cell-related cytokine) have been reported to be up-regulated and associated with clinical parameters of MG. This review focuses on the current understanding of the involvement of cytokines and lymphocytes in the immunological pathogenesis of MG, which may lead to the development of novel therapies for this disease in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Uzawa
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - S Kuwabara
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - S Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Imai
- Department of Neurology, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - H Murai
- Department of Neurology, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan
| | - Y Ozawa
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - M Yasuda
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Y Nagane
- Department of Neurology, Hanamaki General Hospital, Hanamaki, Japan
| | - K Utsugisawa
- Department of Neurology, Hanamaki General Hospital, Hanamaki, Japan
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Myasthenia Gravis: Pathogenic Effects of Autoantibodies on Neuromuscular Architecture. Cells 2019; 8:cells8070671. [PMID: 31269763 PMCID: PMC6678492 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Autoantibodies target key molecules at the NMJ, such as the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), muscle-specific kinase (MuSK), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (Lrp4), that lead by a range of different pathogenic mechanisms to altered tissue architecture and reduced densities or functionality of AChRs, reduced neuromuscular transmission, and therefore a severe fatigable skeletal muscle weakness. In this review, we give an overview of the history and clinical aspects of MG, with a focus on the structure and function of myasthenic autoantigens at the NMJ and how they are affected by the autoantibodies' pathogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, we give a short overview of the cells that are implicated in the production of the autoantibodies and briefly discuss diagnostic challenges and treatment strategies.
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Kohler S, Keil TOP, Hoffmann S, Swierzy M, Ismail M, Rückert JC, Alexander T, Meisel A. CD4 + FoxP3 + T regulatory cell subsets in myasthenia gravis patients. Clin Immunol 2017; 179:40-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Bando H, Iguchi G, Okimura Y, Odake Y, Yoshida K, Matsumoto R, Suda K, Nishizawa H, Fukuoka H, Mokubo A, Tojo K, Maniwa Y, Ogawa W, Takahashi Y. A novel thymoma-associated autoimmune disease: Anti-PIT-1 antibody syndrome. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43060. [PMID: 28216655 PMCID: PMC5316939 DOI: 10.1038/srep43060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-PIT-1 antibody syndrome has recently been reported and characterized by acquired growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) deficiencies associated with autoimmunity to a pituitary specific transcription factor PIT-1, which plays an essential role in GH-, PRL-, and TSH-producing cells. Although circulating anti-PIT-1 antibody and PIT-1-reactive cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) were detected in the patients, the pathophysiology and precise mechanisms for the autoimmunity remain unclarified. During the follow up, thymoma was diagnosed in all 3 cases with anti-PIT-1 antibody syndrome. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that PIT-1 was strongly expressed in neoplastic cortical thymic epithelial cells. Importantly, after thymectomy, the titer of anti-PIT-1 antibody decreased and reactivity of CTLs toward PIT-1 diminished. These data strongly suggest that the aberrant expression of PIT-1 in the thymoma plays a causal role in the development of this syndrome. Thus, we define that this syndrome is a novel thymoma-associated autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Bando
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Genzo Iguchi
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Okimura
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Kobe Women’s University Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yukiko Odake
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kenichi Yoshida
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ryusaku Matsumoto
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kentaro Suda
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Nishizawa
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hidenori Fukuoka
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | | | - Katsuyoshi Tojo
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Maniwa
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Wataru Ogawa
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yutaka Takahashi
- Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Berrih-Aknin
- INSERM U974; Paris France
- CNRS FRE3617; Paris France
- Sorbonne University; UPMC Univ Paris 06; Paris France
- AIM; Institute of Myology; Paris France
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Huang S, Wang W, Chi L. Feasibility of up-regulating CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs by IFN-γ in myasthenia gravis patients. BMC Neurol 2015; 15:163. [PMID: 26347149 PMCID: PMC4562356 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-015-0419-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In myasthenia gravis (MG) patients, the dysfunction of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+ Tregs) may be one of the important pathogenesis of MG. Currently, the role of IFN-γ in autoimmune diseases is still controversial and needs further exploration. In this study, whether IFN-γ can induce CD4+CD25− T cells into CD4+CD25+ Tregs in MG in vitro was investigated systematically. Methods Flow cytometry was used to analyze the number of CD4+CD25+ Tregs in MG patients and healthy controls (HCs). CD4+CD25− T cells were separated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of MG patients and HCs, and the CD4+CD25+ Tregs were separated from HCs by Magnetic cell sorting (MACS). IFN-γ with different concentrations was used to stimulate CD4+CD25− T cells. The percentages of the induced CD4+CD25+ T cells were detected by flow cytometry. The FoxP3 expression of the induced CD4+CD25+ T cells in MG patients was detected by real-time PCR at mRNA level. The induced CD4+CD25+ T cells were co-cultured with autologous CD4+CD25− T cells to estimate the suppressive ability of the induced CD4+CD25+ T cells to CD4+CD25− T cells. Results It shows the percentages of CD4+CD25+ T cells among CD4+ T cells have no significant difference in MG patients compared with those in HCs. There is also merely no difference in the percentages of CD4+CD25+ T cells between thymectomized and non-thymectomized MG patients. CD4+CD25− T cells can be induced to CD4+CD25+ T cells after applying IFN-γ in MG patients and HCs. The proportion and FoxP3 expression of the induced CD4+CD25+ T cells are the highest at the level of 40 ng/ml IFN-γ, and the suppressive function of the CD4+CD25+ T cells induced by 40 ng/ml IFN-γ is the strongest in MG patients. Conclusions This subject will further reveal the role of IFN-γ in the pathogenesis of MG from a new perspective. It will also provide the scientific basis for the clinical targeted therapy of MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150080, P.R. China.
| | - Weizhi Wang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, P.R. China.
| | - Lijun Chi
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150080, P.R. China.
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Marx A, Pfister F, Schalke B, Saruhan-Direskeneli G, Melms A, Ströbel P. The different roles of the thymus in the pathogenesis of the various myasthenia gravis subtypes. Autoimmun Rev 2013; 12:875-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2013.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Zhang M, Li H, Guo J, Zhou Y, Gong L, Wang X, Li Z, Zhang W. Different molecular expression in thymoma with ocular or generalized myasthenia gravis. J Neurol Sci 2012; 313:27-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2011.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2011] [Revised: 09/23/2011] [Accepted: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Abstract
Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3)(+) regulatory T (T(Reg)) cells are potent mediators of dominant self tolerance in the periphery. But confusion as to the identity, stability and suppressive function of human T(Reg) cells has, to date, impeded the general therapeutic use of these cells. Recent studies have suggested that human T(Reg) cells are functionally and phenotypically diverse. Here we discuss recent findings regarding human T(Reg) cells, including the ontogeny and development of T(Reg) cell subsets that have naive or memory phenotypes, the unique mechanisms of suppression mediated by T(Reg) cell subsets and factors that regulate T(Reg) cell lineage commitment. We discuss future studies that are needed for the successful therapeutic use of human T(Reg) cells.
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13
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Multiple paraneoplastic diseases occurring in the same patient after thymomectomy. J Neurooncol 2010; 99:287-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s11060-010-0130-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2009] [Accepted: 01/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Wang Z, Wang J, Deng B, Ding S, Wu T. Reduction of natural regulatory T cells in thymomas accompanying myasthenia gravis and its possible association with Foxp3 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1000-1948(09)60017-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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15
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Zhang Y, Wang HB, Chi LJ, Wang WZ. The role of FoxP3+CD4+CD25hi Tregs in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis. Immunol Lett 2008; 122:52-7. [PMID: 19111574 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2008.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2008] [Revised: 09/30/2008] [Accepted: 11/20/2008] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs) play a critical role in the maintenance of peripheral self-tolerance and the regulation of immune responses. Genetic defects that primarily affect the development and/or function of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs result in severe autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders. In this study, we investigated whether the peripheral pool and the function of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs are altered in patients of myasthenia gravis (MG), a chronic autoimmune disorder that results in progressive skeletal muscle weakness. Here we showed that both mRNA and protein expression level of FoxP3 in CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs are dramatically down-regulated, accompanied by an severe functional defect in CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs regulatory activity when cocultured with autologous CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells, although the reservoir of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs is not changed in peripheral blood from MG patients. Since FoxP3 is a pivotal transcription factor that indispensable for the generation and the regulatory function of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs, our data suggested that the functional activity of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs is inhibited in MG patients and that MG might originate from the dysfunction of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs. Although the underlying molecular basis for the reduced expression of FoxP3 in CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs from MG patients remains unknown, this study provided a potential target for MG therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Helongjiang 150086, PR China
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