Increased circulation of T lymphocytes bearing surface thymosin alpha 1 in patients with myasthenia gravis: effect of thymectomy.
We studied the interaction of the thymic hormone thymosin alpha 1 with peripheral blood B and T lymphocytes in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), using antibodies against thymosin alpha 1 in an immunofluorescence technique. Eleven of 16 patients with symptomatic MG had an increased number of T lymphocytes bearing surface thymosin alpha 1 (T alpha 1); 5 patients with asymptomatic disease had normal levels of T alpha 1. In six young adults with symptomatic MG who subsequently responded to thymectomy, the number of T alpha 1 cells returned to normal 1 month after thymectomy. Because levels of T alpha 1 correlated with symptoms and thymosin alpha 1 specifically recruits helper T cells, our findings suggest that T alpha 1 may play an immunoregulatory role in the pathogenesis of MG. Determination of T alpha 1 levels may prove to be helpful in assessing residual thymic activity after thymectomy.
D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D013934:Thymectomy; D013947:Thymosin / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D013951:Thymus Hormones / Q000276:immunology*
D013951:Thymus Hormones; D013947:Thymosin