Thymoma patients with or without myasthenia gravis have increased Th17 cells, IL-17 production and ICOS expression

Cebi M., Cakar A., Erdogdu E., Durmus-Tekce H., Yegen G., Ozkan B., ...More

JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578129
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Veterinary Science Database
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Thymoma associated myasthenia gravis (TAMG) is a small disease subgroup with autoantibodies against the acetylcholine receptor. The aim of this study was to assess the role of T helper (Th) cells in TAMG compared to thymoma patients without MG (TOMA) and healthy controls (HC). Peripheral blood cells were used for intracellular cytokine measurements and phenotyping of CD4+ Th cells. IL-21 and IL-4 productions and peripheral Th cells were higher in TAMG compared to TOMA patients and HC. Increases of ICOS and Th17 population were detected both in TAMG and TOMA groups. Higher IL-10 and Th1 population have been observed related to thymectomy. ICOS expression and Th17 induced by thymoma may contribute to the development of TAMG.