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. 1977 Nov;40(11):1053–1059. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.40.11.1053

Assessment of cellular and humoral immunity of myasthenics.

S W Huang, J W Rose, R F Mayer
PMCID: PMC492902  PMID: 304474

Abstract

A close association of autoimmune diseases or autoimmune phenomena in myasthenia gravis is well known. A comprehensive immunological study of 22 patients with myasthenia gravis showed that changes in the immune system mainly involve the thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells). Anti-thymus antibody was present in 90% of the patients, and it paralleled the frequency of thymic abnormality in myasthenia gravis. It is postulated that in myasthenia gravis the altered T cell functions caused by anti-thymus antibody result in the formation of an array of autoantibodies including the factor which blocks the neuromuscular transmission.

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Selected References

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