T-lymphocyte interferon-gamma receptor binding in patients with myasthenia gravis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate some aspects of T-lymphocyte-dependent immune function in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).


METHODS
Assay interferon-gamma binding on T lymphocytes from patients with MG compared with healthy controls.


METHODS
The study was performed on ambulatory patients in a tertiary care center, where MG was diagnosed according to Osserman criteria.


METHODS
Thirty-six patients with MG (19 women and 17 men; mean +/- SD age, 50.2+/-17.6 years) were selected consecutively. They were assigned to groups 1, 2A, and 2B. Ten patients were treated with pyridostigmine bromide alone, 18 were treated with pyridostigmine and corticosteroids, and 8 were not yet treated. Thirty-six age-and sex-matched healthy nonsmoking subjects formed the control group.


RESULTS
A significant (P<.001) decrease of T-lymphocyte interferon-gamma binding was found in patients with MG compared with healthy controls (483+/-14 vs. 734+/-13 receptors [SEM] per cell), whereas the ligand-receptor affinity values [SEM] were similar in the 2 groups (0.9+/-0.05 and 1.0+/-0.07 nmol/L).


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate a persistent activation of the immune system in patients with MG, since reduced cell surface interferon-gamma receptors seem to be related with enhanced T-lymphocyte immune function.
Bongioanni
P
P
Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy. bongioanni@sssup1.sssup.it
Ricciardi
R
R
Romano
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000187:drug effects; D015415:Biomarkers; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000378:metabolism*; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007376:Interleukin-2; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide