Analysis of CD4+CD25+ Cell Population in the Thymus from Myasthenia Gravis Patients

The present study is aimed at exploring the regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells in the thymus from myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. In early-onset MG, the thymus is hyperplastic and contains autoreactive activated T cells. Preliminary studies indicate that these CD4+CD25+ cells include activated autoreactive T cells. Studies to characterize the phenotype and suppressive capacity of these cells will be discussed. Keywords CD4+CD25+ T cells; myasthenia gravis; thymus; thymocyte population Myasthenia gravis (MG) is mediated by autoantibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) at the neuromuscular junction. The high titer of anti-AChR antibodies is associated with thymic abnormalities. In early-onset MG, the thymus is hyperplastic and contains autoreactive activated T cells, being the effector site of the autoimmune anti-AChR response. CD4+CD25+ T cells, which express the α-chain of the IL-2 receptor, have emerged as an important immunoregulatory T cell subset. These regulatory T cells are generated in the thymus and prevent the induction of autoimmune diseases in a number of experimental animal models