PRL腺瘤患者外周血Th17含量及IL-17表达与PRL水平的关系

目的探讨Th17(helper T lymphocyte,Th17)细胞含量及白细胞介素-17(interleukin-17,IL-17)在垂体泌乳素腺瘤外周血中的表达水平与泌乳素分泌水平的关系。方法采用流式细胞术检测24例不同泌乳素水平的PRL(prolacin,PRL)腺瘤患者术前、术后和16例健康体检者外周血中Th17细胞含量,RT-PCR技术检测2组外周血中IL-17mRNA的表达情况并行统计学分析。结果流式细胞术结果显示,泌乳素腺瘤患者术前外周血Th17细胞比例(3.49±0.51)%,高于正常对照组(0.86±0.13)%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),且随泌乳素增高程度而增加;RT-PCR结果显示,泌乳素腺瘤患者术前IL-17mRNA表达水平(19.43±3.14)%,高于术后的(8.91±1.92)%及正常对照组的(2.69±0.69)%,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),且随泌乳素增高程度而增加。结论 Th17细胞及IL-17在垂体泌乳素腺瘤外周血中的表达与泌乳素的分泌水平呈正相关,可作为评价PRL腺瘤治疗效果及预后的指标。     

重症肌无力患者外周血Th17和调节性T细胞分析

目的 观察重症肌无力(myasthenia gravis,MG)患者Th17细胞和调节性T细胞的水平,并研究甲强龙冲击治疗对其影响.方法 应用四色流式细胞仪检测66例MG患者及35名健康对照者外周血Th17细胞和CD4+CD25highT细胞百分率;分析其中18例患者外周血Th17细胞与美国MG协会(MGFA)评分相关性;观察8例MG患者甲强龙冲击治疗2周后上述细胞的变化.结果 MG患者与健康对照者外周血Th17细胞百分率分别为2.61%±0.28%与0.94%±0.12%(Z=4.059,P=0.0001);甲强龙治疗前后8例MG患者Th17细胞百分率分别为4.72%±1.21%与1.81%±0.69%,差异有统计学意义(Z=1.995,P=0.0460);患者外周血Th17细胞水平与MGFA评分呈正相关(r=0.5359,P=0.0219).结论 MG患者外周血中Th17细胞升高,甲强龙冲击治疗可降低其水平,这可能是改善MG患者病情的有效机制.     

白细胞介素17和重症肌无力

摘要：白细胞介素17是一种新的前炎性细胞因子,由新发现CD4+辅助性T细胞--Th17分泌。文章从介绍白细胞介素17的结构和编码基因入手,研究了白细胞介素的受体家族,从而发现白细胞介素17具有促进细胞增生分化、招募中性粒细胞及免疫调节等重要作用,并且与某些自身免疫性疾病过程密切相关。Th17细胞亚群的发现,弥补了Thl/Th2介导效应机制的不足。白细胞介素17可致严重的自身免疫性重症肌无力并且提高乙酰胆碱受体特异性的IgG和IgG2b的数量,说明白细胞介素17诱导自身免疫性重症肌无力的形成,白细胞介素17与重症肌无力密切相关。     

重症肌无力患者外周血FOXP3、TGF-B1的变化及其与血清AChR抗体的关系

目的 探讨重症肌无力(MG)患者外周血叉头样转录因子P3(FOXP3)、转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)及乙酰胆碱受体抗体(AChR-Ab)三者之间的关系,揭示MG的发病机制.方法 利用RT-PCR技术检测41例MG患者和20例体检健康者外周血单个核细胞FOXP3 mRNA的表达,ELISA技术检测外周血清TGF-β1浓度、抗AChR抗体水平,分析三者之间的关系.结果 (1)FOXP3 mRNA的表达水平在MG患者组明显低于正常对照组(P<0.01),在25例眼肌型患者与16例全身型患者中的表达无差异性(P>0.05);(2)MG患者组外周血清TGF-β1浓度在MG患者组明显低于正常对照组(P<0.01),但在25例眼肌型患者与16例全身型患者中的表达无差异性(P>0.05);(3)41例MG患者中有30例患者血清中可检测出IgG型AChR抗体,其中眼肌型18例,全身型12例,两亚型的AChR抗体阳性率和抗体水平无显著差异(P>0.05);(4)各组外周静脉血单个核细胞FOXP3 mRNA的表达与血清TGF-β1浓度成正相关,相关系数为0.84(P<0.01);与lgG型AChR抗体水平呈负相关,相关系数为-0.77(P<0.01);血清TGF-β1浓度与IgG型AChR抗体水平呈负相关,-0.81(P<0.01).结论 FOXP3 mR-NA、TGF-B1低表达可能通过增加AChR抗体的产生,在MG的发病中起到重要作用.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the further pathogenesis of MG,the correlations among the expression of FOXP3 in peripheral blood mononuelear cells(PBMNCs) ,and the levels of TGF-β1 and anti-AChR bodies in serum of MG were analyzed. Methods The expressions of FOXP3 mRNA in PBMNCs from 40 MG patients and 20 healthy controls were detected by RT-PCR and the levels of TGF-β1 and anti-AChR antibodies in serum of MG group and HC were tested by ELISA,furthermore the relationships among them we analyzed. Results (1) The relative expression of FOXP3 mRNA in PBMNCs were significant lower in MG patiens group than that of health control group( P < 0. 01 ) ,while there is no different between 25 ocular MG patients and 16 general MG patients ( P > 0.05 ) ; ( 2 ) The levels of TGF-β1 in serum were significant lower in MG patients group than that of health control group(P <0. 01 ) ,while there is no different between 25 ocular MG patients and 16 general MG patients ( P > 0. 05 ) ; ( 3 ) From 41 MG patients, serum anti-AChR-IgG could detected in 30 patient including 18 ocular MG and 12 general M G, there are no different of the anti-AChR-IgG positive rate and coneentation between ocular MG subgroup and general MG subgroup ; (4) Relative expression of FOXP3 mRNA in PBMNCs was positive correlation with the level of TGF-β1 in serum of each group r = 0.84 ( P < 0. 01 ) , and negitive correlation with level of anti-AChR-IgG in serum of MG group r = -0.77(P <0.01 ) ;And in serum of MG group,the level of TGF-β1 was negatively correlation with the level of anti-AChR-IgG r = - 0.81( P < 0.01 ) . Conclusions Lower expression of FOXP3 mRNA in PBMNCs and TGF-β1 in peripheral blood may lead to more anti-AChR antibodies that cause MG.     

重组白细胞介素2及T细胞亚群对重症肌无力患者AChR—ab的影响

对１９例全身型重症肌无力（ＭＧ）患者周围血Ｂ细胞分化能力进行了研究，并观察重组白细胞介素２（ｒＩＬ－２）及Ｔ细胞亚群对其影响。方法分离外周血纯Ｂ细胞，体外与电鳗乙酰胆碱受体（ＡＣｈＲ）一起培养，并分别加入去ＣＤ４＋Ｔ细胞，去ＣＤ８＋Ｔ细胞及ｒＩＬ－２。用酶联免疫－生物素法检测其上清液的乙酰胆碱受体抗体（ＡＣｈＲ－ａｂ）。同时以１０例健康人为对照组。结果去ＣＤ８＋Ｔ细胞后ＡＣｈＲ－ａｂ的产生无明显增加；去ＣＤ４＋Ｔ细胞加入ｒＩＬ－２后ＡＣｈＲ－ａｂ产生减少。结论提示ｒＩＬ－２对ＭＧ患者有潜在治疗价值。     

抗体阴性重症肌无力发病与凝集素之间关系研究

借助研究抗体阴性重症肌无力（ＭＧ）发病与凝集素之间的关系，以阐明其发病过程是否与凝集素有关。方法观察伴刀豆球蛋白Ａ（ＣｏｎＡ）和麦胚凝集素（Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍ）及其凝集素－糖复合物对ＴＥ６７１细胞表达的乙酰胆碱受体（ＡＣｈＲ）功能的作用，以及对α－ＢｕＴｘ结合试验的影响。结果有两种凝集素对ＡＣｈＲ功能均有抑制作用，抑制率（％）分别为５４±１４（ｎ＝１１）和４７±１６（ｎ＝１０），此作用可被３种糖抑制，抑制率（％）分别为：９５±５（ｎ＝５）和８４±８（ｎ＝５）；６９±６（ｎ＝４）和６５±５（ｎ＝４）；３９±４（ｎ＝５）和５７±６（ｎ＝５）；ＣｏｎＡ抑制α－ＢｕＴｘ结合试验，而Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍ则不能。结论Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍ和抗体阴性ＭＧ患者非ＩｇＧ部分对ＡＣｈＲ功能和α－ＢｕＴｘ结合试验的作用类同或一致，表明抗体阴性ＭＧ患者非ＩｇＧ部分中的内源性Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍ样糖蛋白在其发病过程中起重要作用。     

FcγRⅡB在重症肌无力中的表达及其与抗AChR抗体的关系

目的探讨免疫球蛋白IgG的Fc段受体ⅡB(FcγRⅡB)在重症肌无力(myasthenia gravis,MG)发病中的作用。方法采用逆转录-聚合酶链技术和流式细胞术,检测26名血清乙酰胆碱受体(AChR)抗体阳性MG患者和26名正常对照组外周血B淋巴细胞中FcγRⅡBmRNA和FcγRⅡB蛋白的表达水平,ELISA检测血清AChR抗体水平,分析三者之间的关系。结果 MG组外周血B细胞中FcγRⅡBmRNA的表达明显低于正常对照组(P0.01),但在眼肌型患者和全身型患者的表达无统计学差异(P0.05)。MG患者外周血B细胞上FcγRⅡB的表达低于对照组(P0.05)。IgG型AChR抗体水平与B细胞中FcγRⅡB1mRNA和FcγRⅡB2mRNA表达水平呈负相关(P0.01),与FcγRⅡB的表达亦为负相关(P0.05)。结论 MG中B细胞上FcγRⅡB在转录和蛋白水平表达均降低,负调控作用减弱,造成B细胞过度活化,产生大量抗AChR自身抗体,可能是MG发病的一个重要环节。     

帕金森病患者外周血Th17/Treg平衡及相关细胞因子水平测定及意义

目的探讨帕金森病(PD)患者外周血Th17/Treg平衡及相关细胞因子含量变化的意义。方法收集50例PD患者(PD组)及50例健康体检者(Control组),采集所有研究对象外周血。采用流式细胞仪检测外周血中Th17细胞及Treg细胞含量;采用ELISA检测血浆中细胞因子TGF-β、IL-6和IL-17水平。结果流式细胞计数结果显示,PD组的外周血Treg细胞和Th17细胞水平较Control组均显著增加(P均0.01),Treg细胞的增长程度明显大于大于Th17细胞,同时PD组Treg/Th17细胞比较Control组也明显增加(P均0.01)。ELISA检测结果显示,与Control组相比,PD组的血浆TGF-β1、IL-6及IL-17含量均有显著增加(P均0.01)。结论 PD患者的外周血Treg/Th17平衡存在失衡,提示PD病理过程可能与其外周血Treg/Th17失衡有关。     

从Th1、Th17细胞除极探讨丙戊酸干预实验性自身免疫性神经炎的机制

目的从Ⅰ型辅助T细胞(Th1)、17型辅助T细胞(Th17)细胞除极角度探讨丙戊酸(VPA)干预实验性自身免疫性神经炎(EAN)的机制。方法实验大鼠随机分为VPA治疗组、EAN组、正常组,应用周围神经髓鞘抗原(P257-81)多肽与完全弗氏佐剂的混合液免疫VPA治疗组和EAN组大鼠。VPA治疗组大鼠于免疫当天至第15天每天腹腔内注射300mg·kg-1丙戊酸钠。观察发病情况,坐骨神经电生理改变及组织病理学变化,检测腹股沟淋巴结中IFN-γ、IL-17 mRNA水平。结果 VPA治疗组的最初发病时间迟于EAN组(P<0.05),其高峰期临床评分显著低于EAN组(P<0.05),坐骨神经复合肌肉动作电位(CMAP)的波幅较EAN组明显升高,潜伏期和时限显著缩短(P<0.05)。髓鞘脱失和炎性细胞浸润较EAN组明显减少(P<0.05)。淋巴结中IFN-γ、IL-17mRNA表达明显下降(P<0.05)。结论 VPA通过影响Th1、Th17细胞除极,使IFN-γ、IL-17分泌下降,从而抑制EAN大鼠的自身免疫反应。     

Cholinergic neuromuscular hyperactivity in patients with myasthenia gravis seropositive for MuSK antibody

A 75-year-old man with severe oculobulbar myasthenia gravis (MG) treated with acetylcholine esterase inhibitors (AChEIs) was found to have muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies. Neurophysiological examination displayed extra repetitive discharges after the compound motor action potential (CMAP) at low-frequency stimulation, possibly triggered by AChEI. This indicates an abnormal sensitivity to acetylcholine in patients with MuSK antibodies and may be a useful indicator of the adverse effect of AChEI treatment in these patients.     

Muscle histopathology in myasthenia gravis with antibodies against MuSK and AChR

Aims: We compared myopathological features in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with antibodies against AChR (seropositive) and muscle-specific tyrosin-kinase (MuSK). While the immunopathogenesis of seropositive MG is well known, there is a lack of pathological studies in anti-MuSK antibody-positive (MuSK+) MG. Methods: We analysed skeletal muscle biopsy features of 13 MG patients: 6 MuSK+ (all women) and 7 anti-AchR antibody-positive (AChR+) (2 women and 5 men). In our histopathological examination, we quantified the atrophy factor of both fibre types, and the extent of minicores, myofibrillar disarray, cytochrome c oxidase (COX)-negative fibres, mitochondrial aggregates and fibre type grouping. Results: Mean muscle fibre atrophy factor was higher in AChR+ MG than MuSK+ MG, both in type I fibres (494 vs. 210) and particularly in type II fibres (1023 vs. 300). Fibre type grouping was observed in AChR+ MG whereas COX-negative fibres were common in MuSK+ MG. Bulbar muscles were more severely affected in MuSK+ MG and the disease was more severe: the onset was usually earlier (39 years) with Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America score III in MuSK+ MG, and score II was found in AChR+ MG (62 years). Conclusions: Muscle biopsies of MuSK+ MG show myopathic signs with prominent mitochondrial abnormalities, whereas neurogenic features and atrophy are more frequently found in AChR+ MG. The mitochondrial impairment could explain the oculo-bulbar involvement in MuSK+ MG.     

Outcome of children with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive juvenile myasthenia gravis following thymectomy

Most evidence supporting the benefit of thymectomy in juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG) is extrapolated from adult studies, with only little data concerning paediatric populations. Here we evaluate the outcome of children with generalized JMG who underwent thymectomy between 1996 and 2010 at 2 tertiary paediatric neurology referral centres in the United Kingdom. Twenty patients (15 female, 5 male), aged 13 months to 15.5 years (median 10.4 years) at disease onset, were identified. Prior to thymectomy, disease severity was graded as IIb in 3, III in 11, and IV in 6 patients according to the Osserman classification. All demonstrated positive anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody titres. All patients received pyridostigmine and 14 received additional steroid therapy. Transternal thymectomy was performed at the age of 2.7–16.6 years (median 11.1 years). At the last follow-up (10 months to 10.9 years, median 2.7 years, after thymectomy), the majority of children demonstrated substantial improvement, although some had required additional immune-modulatory therapies. About one third achieved complete remission. The postoperative morbidity was low. No benefit was observed in one patient with thymoma. We conclude that thymectomy should be considered as a treatment option early in the course of generalised AChR antibody-positive JMG.     

重症肌无力患者末梢血Th1和Th2细胞内细胞因子的变化及意义

目的研究重症肌无力(MG)患者末梢血细胞因子及抗乙酰胆碱受体抗体(AchRab)水平,探讨细胞因子在MG发病中的作用。方法研究对象为17例MG患者,分为急性期组10例,非急性期组7例,设健康对照组15例。应用流式细胞术(FCM)测定末梢血产生各型细胞因子(CK)的CD4+T细胞%,采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定血清中抗乙酰胆碱受体抗体(AchRab)。结果⑴MG患者急性期组和非急性期组IFN-γ+IL-4-CD4+T细胞%及AchRab的含量比健康对照组显著增多(P<0.05和P<0.001);⑵急性期组和非急性期组IFN-γ-IL-4+和IL-13+CD4+T细胞%比健康对照组显著减少(P<0.05);⑶IL-10+CD4+T细胞%各组之间无显著性差异;⑷各组IFN-γ+IL-4-CD4+T细胞%与AchRab均呈正相关。结论MG患者Th1和Th2细胞因子的平衡紊乱,Th1细胞因子IFN-γ对MG患者自身抗体的产生有促进作用。     

Juvenile myasthenia gravis with prepubertal onset

Juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG) with prepubertal onset is an uncommon disease. We studied 19 patients with age at onset ranging from 1.5 to 9.2 years and compared their clinical characteristics and response to therapy with 114 cases with MG onset after the prepubertal age, up to 20 years. Neither sex prevalence nor autoimmune diseases other than MG were found in younger patients. Although ocular myasthenia was more frequent than in later-onset JMG, children with generalized symptoms were often severely affected and respiratory involvement was present in 8/19 patients. Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies were detected at a lower rate and, in contrast with results in older patients, seronegativity was more frequent among children with generalized disease. Three out of six patients with onset before the age of five showed spontaneous remission. Nine prepubertal patients underwent thymectomy and, as most of them also received immunosuppressive therapy, the influence of surgery on disease outcome remains unclear; in no case was thymoma found. This is in contrast to the good results after thymectomy and the presence of thymoma in the later-onset group. Eleven patients in the prepubertal series were treated with immunosuppressive therapy. At the end of follow-up, most patients were in good condition. The frequency of immunosuppressive therapy and the rate of good therapeutic results did not differ from those observed in older patients.     

No evidence for an association of AChR beta-subunit gene (CHRNB1) with myasthenia gravis

Using a polymorphic dinucleotide repeat, we have investigated the contribution of the gene encoding the beta-subunit of the muscle acetylcholine receptor (CHRNB1), the target autoantigen, to the susceptibility to myasthenia gravis (MG). We have combined a case-control study (comparing 143 patients and 162 controls) and a transmission–disequilibrium test bearing on 35 simplex families with heterozygous parents. There was no evidence for an association of CHRNB1 with MG, even after subgrouping patients according to thymus histology, or other clinical criteria. Interestingly however, the shortest four variants of the CHRNB1 microsatellite were seen only in patients with thymus hyperplasia and in none of the control subjects (P<0.0025).     

Anti AChR antibody: Relevance to diagnosis and clinical aspects of myasthenia gravis

227 sera from myasthenic patients were tested for the presence of anti-AChR antibodies (anti-AChR Abs) by mean of a fetal calf receptor (Fc-AChR); 73.5% of cases proved positive with this method. Significant correlations were found between presence of anti-Fc-AChr Abs and various clinical aspects such as: clinical stage and duration of disease; moreover significantly higher than the median titers were found among younger patients (i.e. age <40 yrs). This work was partially supported by the National Research Council (CNR) — Progetto Finalizzato “Medicina Preventiva e Riabilitativa” n^o 85.00513.56     

Acetylcholine receptor antibody in myasthenia gravis

Radioimmunoassay techniques were used to detect antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (AAChR) in 164 patients with adult-onset myasthenia gravis. AAChR levels above 0.6 nM/l were considered pathological and were found in 67% of the patients with an average value of 58.99 +/- 125.02 nM/l (0.6-900.0). Correlation, with clinical functional status, the histopathological thymus alterations and the different therapeutics used did not disclose any statistically significant differences.     

Seronegative myasthenia gravis: disease severity and prognosis

Around 10-20% of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients do not have acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies (seronegative), of whom some have antibodies to a membrane-linked muscle specific kinase (MuSK). To examine MG severity and long-term prognosis in seronegative MG compared with seropositive MG, and to look specifically at anti-AChR antibody negative and anti-MuSK antibody negative patients. Seventeen consecutive seronegative non-thymomatous MG patients and 34 age and sex matched contemporary seropositive non-thymomatous MG controls were included in a retrospective follow-up study for a total period of 40 years. Clinical criteria were assessed each year, and muscle antibodies were assayed. There was no difference in MG severity between seronegative and seropositive MG. However, when thymectomized patients were excluded from the study at the year of thymectomy, seropositive MG patients had more severe course than seronegative (P < 0.001). One seropositive patient died from MG related respiratory insufficiency. The need for thymectomy in seronegative MG was lower than in seropositive MG. None of the seronegative patients had MuSK antibodies. This study shows that the presence of AChR antibodies in MG patients correlates with a more severe MG. With proper treatment, especially early thymectomy for seropositive MG, the outcome and long-term prognosis is good in patients with and without AChR antibodies.