Expression of T follicular helper cells in myasthenia gravis patients with thymoma

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.2095-8773.2020.03.05

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective

To investigate role of thymic T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in the immunopathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with thymoma.

Methods

The percentage of Tfh cells were detected in 30 MG patients with thymoma (MG group), 20 non-MG patients with thymoma (NMG group) and 10 individuals with atrophic thymus (control group). The marker protein CXCR-5, ICOS, PD-1 and Bcl-6 were analyzed by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blotting.

Results

Compared with the NMG group and the control group, the Tfh cells and the expression of CXCR-5, ICOS, PD-1 and Bcl-6 protein were increased, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The percentage of Tfh cells and the expression of CXCR-5, ICOS in the NMG group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the expression of PD-1 and Bcl-6 between the NMG group and the control group (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Tfh cells in the peritumoral thymus of the MG patients with thymoma may involve in the generation and development of MG via enhancing immune activity. Inhibiting the immune function of Tfh cells may provide a new strategy approaching for the treatment of MG.

Key words: Myasthenia gravis, Thymoma, Follicular helper T cells

Yang Song, Xiaoling Ye, Ji Chen, Yongjun Zhu, Pengliang Xu, Ning Wu, Gang Chen, Feng Miao, Weiwei Wu, Zhiming Chen. Expression of T follicular helper cells in myasthenia gravis patients with thymoma[J]. Chinese Journal of Thoracic Surgery(Electronic Edition), 2020, 07(03): 152-158.

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https://zhxbwkdzzz.cma-cmc.com.cn/EN/Y2020/V07/I03/152

Figures/Tables 5

References 25

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项目		MG组（n＝30）	NMG组（n＝20）	对照组（n＝10）
性别[n（%）]		?	?	?
?	男	14（46.7）	10（50.0）	5（50.0）
?	女	16（53.3）	10（50.0）	5（50.0）
年龄[岁（中位数）]		21~65（49.9）	27~63（54.7）	28~66（51.7）
WHO分型[n（%）]		?	?	?
?	A	2（6.7）	2（10.0）	—
?	AB	5（16.7）	11（55.0）	—
?	B1	3（10.0）	2（10.0）	—
?	B2	13（43.3）	5（25.0）	—
?	B3	7（23.3）	2（10.0）	—
Masaoka分期[n（%）]		?	?	?
?	Ⅰ	9（30.0）	2（10.0）	—
?	Ⅱ	13（43.3）	7（35.0）	—
?	Ⅲ	5（16.7）	8（40.0）	—
?	Ⅳ	3（10.0）	3（15.0）	—
MGFA分型[n（%）]		?	?	?
?	Ⅰ	13（43.3）	—	—
?	Ⅱ	10（33.3）	—	—
?	Ⅲ	5（16.7）	—	—
?	Ⅳ	2（6.7）	—	—

项目		MG组（n＝30）	NMG组（n＝20）	对照组（n＝10）
性别[n（%）]		?	?	?
?	男	14（46.7）	10（50.0）	5（50.0）
?	女	16（53.3）	10（50.0）	5（50.0）
年龄[岁（中位数）]		21~65（49.9）	27~63（54.7）	28~66（51.7）
WHO分型[n（%）]		?	?	?
?	A	2（6.7）	2（10.0）	—
?	AB	5（16.7）	11（55.0）	—
?	B1	3（10.0）	2（10.0）	—
?	B2	13（43.3）	5（25.0）	—
?	B3	7（23.3）	2（10.0）	—
Masaoka分期[n（%）]		?	?	?
?	Ⅰ	9（30.0）	2（10.0）	—
?	Ⅱ	13（43.3）	7（35.0）	—
?	Ⅲ	5（16.7）	8（40.0）	—
?	Ⅳ	3（10.0）	3（15.0）	—
MGFA分型[n（%）]		?	?	?
?	Ⅰ	13（43.3）	—	—
?	Ⅱ	10（33.3）	—	—
?	Ⅲ	5（16.7）	—	—
?	Ⅳ	2（6.7）	—	—

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