The thymus is a source of B-cell-survival factors-APRIL and BAFF-in myasthenia gravis.
The accumulation of B cells in the thymus is a common feature of myasthenia gravis (MG). To understand whether factors enhancing B-cell survival are increased in MG, we studied the expression of APRIL, BAFF and three of their receptors in the thymus. In hyperplastic thymi, macrophages expressed APRIL and BAFF, and germinal-center B cells, BAFF-R. CD138-positive plasma cells were abundant in MG thymi. By contrast, BCMA-positive plasma cells were scarce. The expression of APRIL and BAFF in MG thymi may reflect the establishment of an environment favorable to B-cell survival.
Thangarajh
Mathula
M
Neurology Division, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Mathula.Thangarajh@ki.se
Masterman
Thomas
T
Helgeland
Lars
L
Rot
Uros
U
Jonsson
Malin V
MV
Eide
Geir Egil
GE
Pirskanen
Ritva
R
Hillert
Jan
J
Jonsson
Roland
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D053301:B-Cell Maturation Antigen; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology
D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D053301:B-Cell Maturation Antigen; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C508241:SDC1 protein, human; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans; C435926:TNFRSF13C protein, human; C086966:TNFRSF17 protein, human; C114631:TNFSF13 protein, human; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha