Compromised fidelity of B-cell tolerance checkpoints in AChR and MuSK myasthenia gravis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune condition in which neurotransmission is impaired by binding of autoantibodies to acetylcholine receptors (AChR) or, in a minority of patients, to muscle specific kinase (MuSK). There are differences in the dominant IgG subclass, pathogenic mechanisms, and treatment responses between the two MG subtypes (AChR or MuSK). The antibodies are thought to be T-cell dependent, but the mechanisms underlying their production are not well understood. One aspect not previously described is whether defects in central and peripheral tolerance checkpoints, which allow autoreactive B cells to accumulate in the naive repertoire, are found in both or either form of MG.

Methods

An established set of assays that measure the frequency of both poly

SUBMITTER: Lee JY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4891998 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature