Sa-Yoon Kang1, Chul-Hoo Kang1, Keun-Hwa Lee2. 1. Department of Neurology, Jeju National University School of Medicine, 1 Ara 1-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju, 690-756, South Korea. 2. Department of Microbiology, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a B-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) is a major factor in B-cell development and activation. In this study we investigated serum BAFF levels in MG patients. METHODS: We compared the serum BAFF levels of 20 MG patients with gender-matched healthy controls. We assayed serum concentrations of BAFF and anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR) titers. RESULTS: Serum BAFF levels of MG patients with AChR antibodies were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between serum BAFF levels and anti-AChR antibody titers. BAFF values did not correlate with disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: BAFF may play a major role in the pathogenesis of MG, and it may provide a potential target for therapy in patients with MG. Muscle Nerve 54: 1030-1033, 2016.
INTRODUCTION:Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a B-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) is a major factor in B-cell development and activation. In this study we investigated serum BAFF levels in MGpatients. METHODS: We compared the serum BAFF levels of 20 MGpatients with gender-matched healthy controls. We assayed serum concentrations of BAFF and anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR) titers. RESULTS: Serum BAFF levels of MGpatients with AChR antibodies were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between serum BAFF levels and anti-AChR antibody titers. BAFF values did not correlate with disease severity. CONCLUSIONS:BAFF may play a major role in the pathogenesis of MG, and it may provide a potential target for therapy in patients with MG. Muscle Nerve 54: 1030-1033, 2016.
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