High Frequency of Tc22 and Th22 Cells in Myasthenia Gravis Patients and Their Significant Reduction after Thymectomy

Abstract

Objectives: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease accompanied by a thymic pathology and in most patients thymectomy (TE) is used as the therapeutic approach. Both B and T cells play an important role in MG pathogenesis. Methods: Twelve pre-and post-TE MG patients and 12 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. The mean percentages of Th22 and Tc22 cells were evaluated in MG patients (before and 6 months after TE) and HCs. Results: The mean percentage of Tc22 cells in pre-TE patients was significantly higher than in HCs (p < 0.05), and after TE Tc22 cells significantly decreased compared to pre-TE (p < 0.05). The frequency of Th22 cells in pre-TE MG patients was not significantly different from HCs, but after TE Th22 cells were significantly decreased compared to pre-TE (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest a possible role of Th22 and Tc22 in MG pathogenesis.