title: The effect of ACTH treatment on lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with myasthenia gravis.
abstract: Blood lymphocytes were collected before, at various times during treatment and after treatment with ACTH in patients with myasthenia gravis. The relative proportions of thymus-derived (T cells) and bursa-derived (B cells) lymphocytes were determined. Eight of nine patients had a relative increase in B cells, whereas T cells showed a relative decrease. Myasthenic symptoms in these eight patients also were relieved. One patient who was not thymectomized showed virtually no relief in symptoms nor any changes in the relative T and B cell proportions or numbers, indicating a close association between the disease and the thymus-derived immune system.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone