BACKGROUND: The effect of plasmapheresis on cytokine levels in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) has not been well established. METHODS: Cytokine levels were measured in 19 patients with MG before and after treatment with one course of double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFP). The control group comprised 6 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. RESULTS: At baseline, patients with MG had higher levels of IL-10 than normal controls. The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were almost undetectable in MG patients. After a single session of DFP treatment, IL-10 levels were significantly increased. After three sessions, IL-10 levels were still higher than those at baseline. Elevated IL-10 level was significantly associated with use of immunosuppressant drugs, thymectomy, and good response to DFP treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin-10 might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of MG.
BACKGROUND: The effect of plasmapheresis on cytokine levels in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) has not been well established. METHODS: Cytokine levels were measured in 19 patients with MG before and after treatment with one course of double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFP). The control group comprised 6 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. RESULTS: At baseline, patients with MG had higher levels of IL-10 than normal controls. The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were almost undetectable in MGpatients. After a single session of DFP treatment, IL-10 levels were significantly increased. After three sessions, IL-10 levels were still higher than those at baseline. Elevated IL-10 level was significantly associated with use of immunosuppressant drugs, thymectomy, and good response to DFP treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Interleukin-10 might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of MG.
Authors: A Uzawa; S Kuwabara; S Suzuki; T Imai; H Murai; Y Ozawa; M Yasuda; Y Nagane; K Utsugisawa Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2020-12-03 Impact factor: 5.732