title: Polymyositis and myasthenia gravis: immunodeficiency disorders involving skeletal muscle.
abstract: Human polymyositis and aspects of myasthenia gravis may be consequences of subtle immunodeficiency states. Autoimmune processes leading to inflammatory muscle disease and the presence of associated tumours may reflect the partial loss of antibody-mediated homoeostatic mechanisms.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D002648:Child; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009132:Muscles / Q000276:immunology*; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D009220:Myositis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D006680:HLA Antigens