Effects of Follicular Helper T Cells and Inflammatory Cytokines on Myasthenia Gravis

Curr Mol Med. 2019;19(10):739-745. doi: 10.2174/1566524019666190827162615.

Abstract

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder mediated by antibodies against the acetylcholine receptors (AChR) of the skeletal muscles. An imbalance in various T helper (Th) cells, including Th1, Th2, Th17, Th22 and follicular helper T (TFH) cells, has been found associated with immunological disturbances.

Objective: In this study, we aim to investigate the role of the Th cells in peripheral blood of MG patients.

Materials and methods: A total of 33 MG patients and 34 age matched controls were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated using Ficoll-Paque density gradient centrifugation assay. The proportion of TFH cells in PBMC were analyzed using flow-cytometry assay by determining the levels of cellular markers CD4, CXCR5, CD45RO, CD45RA and ICOS and PD-1. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17 and IL-21 in serum were analyzed by Cytometric Bead Array. The serum IL-22 level was analyzed by ELISA.

Results: The frequency of TFH cells in PBMCs was higher than those in healthy subjects and correlated to the severity of MG patients. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-21 were elevated in the serum of MG patients, while there were no significant differences regarding the levels of IL-4 and IL-22 between MG patients and control subjects.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Th cells and their cytokines balance of MG patients are involved in the clinical condition or severity of MG disease.

Keywords: IFN-γ; IL-17; Myasthenia gravis; T helper cells; follicular helper T cells; quantitative myasthenia gravis score..

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / blood*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myasthenia Gravis / blood
  • Myasthenia Gravis / immunology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / pathology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators