Expansion of circulating counterparts of follicular helper T cells in patients with myasthenia gravis

Growing evidence has demonstrated that dysfunction of follicular helper T (TFH) cells results in an abnormal positive selection of autoreactive B cells, which contributes to the development of autoimmune diseases. This study reveals that the frequency of circulating counterparts of TFH cells in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients is significantly higher compared to healthy controls. Interestingly, the frequencies of circulating TFH cells were positively correlated with the levels of serum anti-AChR Ab in MG patients. Our data suggest the presence of overactivation and expansion of circulating counterparts of TFH cells in MG patients, which may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of MG. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.