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Wang B, Zhu Y, Liu D, Hu C, Zhu R. The intricate dance of non-coding RNAs in myasthenia gravis pathogenesis and treatment. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1342213. [PMID: 38605954 PMCID: PMC11007667 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1342213] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) stands as a perplexing autoimmune disorder affecting the neuromuscular junction, driven by a multitude of antibodies targeting postsynaptic elements. However, the mystery of MG pathogenesis has yet to be completely uncovered, and its heterogeneity also challenges diagnosis and treatment. Growing evidence shows the differential expression of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in MG has played an essential role in the development of MG in recent years. Remarkably, these aberrantly expressed ncRNAs exhibit distinct profiles within diverse clinical subgroups and among patients harboring various antibody types. Furthermore, they have been implicated in orchestrating the production of inflammatory cytokines, perturbing the equilibrium of T helper 1 cells (Th1), T helper 17 cells (Th17), and regulatory T cells (Tregs), and inciting B cells to generate antibodies. Studies have elucidated that certain ncRNAs mirror the clinical severity of MG, while others may hold therapeutic significance, showcasing a propensity to return to normal levels following appropriate treatments or potentially foretelling the responsiveness to immunosuppressive therapies. Notably, the intricate interplay among these ncRNAs does not follow a linear trajectory but rather assembles into a complex network, with competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) emerging as a prominent hub in some cases. This comprehensive review consolidates the landscape of dysregulated ncRNAs in MG, briefly delineating their pivotal role in MG pathogenesis. Furthermore, it explores their promise as prospective biomarkers, aiding in the elucidation of disease subtypes, assessment of disease severity, monitoring therapeutic responses, and as novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ruixia Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Chen X, Qiu J, Gao Z, Liu B, Zhang C, Yu W, Yang J, Shen Y, Qi L, Yao X, Sun H, Yang X. Myasthenia gravis: Molecular mechanisms and promising therapeutic strategies. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 218:115872. [PMID: 37865142 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115872] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a type of autoimmune disease caused by the blockage of neuromuscular junction transmission owing to the attack of autoantibodies on transmission-related proteins. Related antibodies, such as anti-AChR, anti-MuSK and anti-LRP4 antibodies, can be detected in most patients with MG. Although traditional therapies can control most symptoms, several challenges remain to be addressed, necessitating the development of more effective and safe treatment strategies for MG. With the in-depth exploration on the mechanism and immune targets of MG, effective therapies, especially therapies using biologicals, have been reported recently. Given the important roles of immune cells, cytokines and intercellular interactions in the pathological process of MG, B-cell targeted therapy, T-cell targeted therapy, proteasome inhibitors targeting plasma cell, complement inhibitors, FcRn inhibitors have been developed for the treatment of MG. Although these novel therapies exert good therapeutic effects, they may weaken the immunity and increase the risk of infection in MG patients. This review elaborates on the pathogenesis of MG and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the strategies of traditional treatment and biologicals. In addition, this review emphasises that combined therapy may have better therapeutic effects and reducing the risk of side effects of treatments, which has great prospects for the treatment of MG. With the deepening of research on immunotherapy targets in MG, novel opportunities and challenges in the treatment of MG will be introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Jiayi Qiu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Zihui Gao
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Boya Liu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Weiran Yu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Jiawen Yang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Yuntian Shen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Lei Qi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China
| | - Xinlei Yao
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China.
| | - Hualin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China.
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, PR China.
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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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DCAF12 and HSPA1A May Serve as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers for Myasthenia Gravis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:8587273. [PMID: 35655486 PMCID: PMC9155969 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8587273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that severely affects the life quality of patients. This study explores the differences in immune cell types between MG and healthy control and the role of immune-related genes in the diagnosis of MG. Methods The GSE85452 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed using the limma package to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between patients with MG and the control group. Differentially expressed immune cells were analyzed using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), while immune cell-associated modules were identified by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Then, the expression of the identified hub genes was confirmed by RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of MG patients. The R package pROC was used to plot the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. Results The modules related to CD56bright natural killer cells were identified by GSEA and WGCNA. The proportion of CD56bright natural killer cells in the peripheral blood of MG patients is low. The results of RT-PCR showed that the levels of DDB1- and CUL4-associated factor 12 (DCAF12) and heat shock protein family A member 1A (HSPA1A) were significantly decreased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of MG patients compared with healthy controls. The ROC curve results of DCAF12 and HSPA1A mRNA in MG diagnosis were 0.780 and 0.830, respectively. Conclusions CD56bright NK cell is lower in MG patients and may affect MG occurrence. DCAF12 and HSPA1A are lowly expressed in PBMCs of MG patients and may serve as the diagnostic biomarkers of MG.
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