Increased expression of P2X7 receptor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells correlates with clinical severity and serum levels of Th17-related cytokines in patients with myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune-mediated neuromuscular disease and its incidence has been increasing lately[1]. The disorder is caused by antibodies binding to components in the neuromuscular junction, impairing neuromuscular transmission. Over 80% of patients have antibodies against acetylcholine receptor (AChR) [2]. AChR-specific CD4+ T cells i.e. T-help cells, which can be detected in most MG patients, likely have an important role in MG, because they modulate the synthesis of anti-AChR Ab and may be the prime movers in the pathogenesis of MG[3].
Source: Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery - Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Source Type: research