An imbalance between regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells in acetylcholine receptor-positive myasthenia gravis patients.
Ann N Y Acad Sci
; 1413(1): 154-162, 2018 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29405352
ABSTRACT
A chronic autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis (MG) is characterized in 85% of patients by antibodies directed against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) located at the neuromuscular junction. The functional and effective balance between regulatory T cells (Treg cells) and effector T cells (Teff cells) is lost in the hyperplastic thymus of MG patients with antibodies specific for the AChR (AChR+ MG patients). The objective of this review is to describe how Treg cells and inflammatory T cells participate in this imbalance and contribute to induce a chronic inflammatory state in the MG thymus. We discuss the origins and characteristics of Treg cells and their reported dysfunctions in AChR+ MG patients. We also review the inflammatory condition observed in MG thymus, including overexpression of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and IL-23, cytokines that promote the differentiation of T helper 17 (TH 17) cells and the expression of IL-17. We summarize the preclinical models used to determine the implication of expression of cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-12 (IL-23 subunit), IL-17, and interferon γ to the development of experimental autoimmune MG. Finally, we suggest that biological agents, such as humanized monoclonal antibodies that target the IL-23/TH 17 pathway, should be investigated in the context of MG, as they have proven efficiency in other autoimmune diseases.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Receptores Colinérgicos
/
Linfocitos T Reguladores
/
Células Th17
/
Miastenia Gravis
/
Unión Neuromuscular
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ann N Y Acad Sci
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Francia