title: The thymus is a source of B-cell-survival factors-APRIL and BAFF-in myasthenia gravis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Division, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Mathula.Thangarajh@ki.se
authors.forename: Mathula
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thangarajh
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masterman
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Helgeland
authors.forename: Uros
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rot
authors.forename: Malin V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Jonsson
authors.forename: Geir Egil
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Eide
authors.forename: Ritva
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pirskanen
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hillert
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jonsson
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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