Thymus-derived B cell clones persist in the circulation after thymectomy in myasthenia gravis Article Swipe
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· 2020
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2007206117
· OA: W3105928123
Significance Myasthenia gravis is caused by autoantibodies, which target postsynaptic proteins, primarily the acetylcholine receptor, that inhibit neuromuscular signaling. The myasthenia gravis thymus can serve as a reservoir of acetylcholine receptor-specific autoantibody-producing B cells. Thus, thymectomy is provided as a treatment. However, many patients fail to improve; the causes of poor responses are not understood. This investigation demonstrated that disease-associated B cell clones mature in the thymus before emigrating to the circulation. These B cell clones are present in the circulation after thymectomy and their persistence correlated with less favorable changes in clinical symptoms after thymectomy. This investigation provides mechanistic insight into the immunopathology associated with a diminished clinical response to thymectomy.
