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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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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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He D, Zhang H, Xiao J, Zhang X, Xie M, Pan D, Wang M, Luo X, Bu B, Zhang M, Wang W. Molecular and clinical relationship between live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccination and childhood onset myasthenia gravis. Ann Neurol 2019; 84:386-400. [PMID: 30246904 PMCID: PMC6175482 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective The incidence of childhood onset myasthenia gravis (CMG) in China is higher than that in other countries; however, the reasons for this are unclear. Methods We investigated the clinical and immunological profiles of CMG, and assessed the potential precipitating factors. For the mouse studies, the possible implication of vaccination in the pathogenesis was explored. Results In our retrospective study, 51.22% of the 4,219 cases of myasthenia gravis (MG) were of the childhood onset type. The cohort study uncovered that the pathophysiology of CMG was mediated by immune deviation, rather than through gene mutations or virus infections. The administration of the live‐attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine (LA‐JEV), but not the inactivated vaccine or other vaccines, in mice induced serum acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody production, reduced the AChR density at the endplates, and decreased both muscle strength and response to repetitive nerve stimulation. We found a peptide (containing 7 amino acids) of LA‐JEV similar to the AChR‐α subunit, and immunization with a synthesized protein containing this peptide reproduced the MG‐like phenotype in mice. Interpretation Our results describe the immunological profile of CMG. Immunization with LA‐JEV induced an autoimmune reaction against the AChR through molecular mimicry. These findings might explain the higher occurrence rate of CMG in China, where children are routinely vaccinated with LA‐JEV, compared with that in countries, where this vaccination is not as common. Efforts should be made to optimize immunization strategies and reduce the risk for developing autoimmune disorders among children. Ann Neurol 2018;84:386–400
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan He
- Department of NeurologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of NeurologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
| | - Jun Xiao
- Department of NeurologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
| | - Xiaofan Zhang
- Department of NeurologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
| | - Minjie Xie
- Department of NeurologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of Education Committee of ChinaWuhanHubeiChina
| | - Dengji Pan
- Department of NeurologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
| | - Minghuan Wang
- Department of NeurologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
| | - Xiang Luo
- Department of NeurologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
| | - Bitao Bu
- Department of NeurologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of NeurologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of NeurologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of Education Committee of ChinaWuhanHubeiChina
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