Dendritic cells in hyperplastic thymuses from patients with myasthenia gravis

To investigate the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in the hyperplastic myasthenia gravis (MG) thymus, we studied the frequency and distribution of three mature DC phenotypes (CD83+CD11c+, CD86+CD11c+, and HLA‐DR+CD11c+) in samples from patients with MG whose symptoms dramatically improved following th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Muscle & nerve 2003-05, Vol.27 (5), p.582-589
Main Authors: Nagane, Yuriko, Utsugisawa, Kimiaki, Obara, Daiji, Yamagata, Munehisa, Tohgi, Hideo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
CD44
Cell Movement - immunology
dendritic cells
Dendritic Cells - immunology
Dendritic Cells - pathology
Diseases of striated muscles. Neuromuscular diseases
Female
Gene Expression - immunology
Humans
Hyaluronan Receptors - genetics
Male
Medical sciences
myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia Gravis - immunology
Myasthenia Gravis - pathology
Neurology
Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
Phenotype
secondary lymphoid-tissue chemokine
thymus
Thymus Gland - immunology
Thymus Gland - pathology
Thymus Hyperplasia - immunology
Thymus Hyperplasia - pathology
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Summary:To investigate the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in the hyperplastic myasthenia gravis (MG) thymus, we studied the frequency and distribution of three mature DC phenotypes (CD83+CD11c+, CD86+CD11c+, and HLA‐DR+CD11c+) in samples from patients with MG whose symptoms dramatically improved following thymectomy and in non‐MG control thymuses. In hyperplastic MG thymuses, mature DCs were much more numerous in nonmedullary areas, such as the subcapsular/outer cortex; around the germinal centers; and in extralobular connective tissue, particularly around blood vessels. Mature DCs strongly coexpressed CD44 and appeared to be components of a CD44–highly positive (CD44high) cell population migrating from the vascular system. Furthermore, in the hyperplastic MG thymus, the expression of secondary lymphoid‐tissue chemokine (SLC) markedly increased especially around extralobular blood vessels, where the CD44high cell population accumulated. These findings suggest that DCs may migrate into the hyperplastic thymus from the vascular system via mechanisms that involve CD44 and SLC. DCs may present self‐antigens, thereby promoting the priming and/or boosting of potentially autoreactive T cells against the acetylcholine receptor. Muscle Nerve 27: 582–589, 2003
ISSN:0148-639X
1097-4598
DOI:10.1002/mus.10362