The thymus and myasthenia gravis.
Self acetylcholine receptor (AchR) is targeted by a wayward immune response in myasthenia gravis (MG). The current understanding of the pathogenesis of the AChR-directed immune response is reviewed. Furthermore, the thymus is suspected of initiating and perpetuating the disease process in the majority of patients; its role as a central and peripheral lymphoid organ in MG is discussed. MG seems to result from a failure of (1) establishing tolerance to the AChR and (2) regulating the immune response.
Ragheb
S
S
Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Lisak
R P
RP
D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology*; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D001324:Autoantigens; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic