Cytokine secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in myasthenia gravis.

We studied spontaneous secretion of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChRAb), IgG and cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 19 MG patients without therapy and 10 normal controls. IgG secretion was higher in the culture medium of MG than in that of normal controls. AChRAb secretion was correlated with IgG secretion in MG. Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha secreted by PBMC from MG patients were not different from those produced by those from normal controls. IgG secretion was, however, correlated with the secretions of IL-5 and IL-6 in MG. Spontaneous B cell activation was suspected in patients with MG. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.