Single-cell profiling of myasthenia gravis identifies a pathogenic T cell signature

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by impaired neuromuscular signaling due to autoantibodies targeting the acetylcholine receptor. Although its auto-antigens and effector mechanisms are well defined, the cellular and molecular drivers underpinning MG remain elusive. Here, we employed high-dimensional single-cell mass and spectral cytometry of blood and thymus samples from MG patients in combination with supervised and unsupervised machine-learning tools to gain insight into the immune dysregulation underlying MG. By creating a comprehensive immune map, we identified two dysregulated subsets of inflammatory circulating memory T helper (Th) cells. These signature Th-CD103 and Th-GM cells populated the diseased thymus, were reduced in the blood of MG patients, and were inversely correlated with disease severity. Both signature Th subsets rebounded in the blood of MG patients after surgical thymus removal, indicative of their role as cellular markers of disease activity. Together, this in-depth analysis of the immune landscape of MG provides valuable insight into disease pathogenesis, suggests novel biomarkers and identifies new potential therapeutic targets for treatment.

Automated summary

This study utilized high-dimensional single-cell mass and spectral cytometry to explore the immune dysregulation in Myasthenia gravis (MG) patients, identifying two dysregulated subsets of inflammatory T helper cells that were reduced in the blood of MG patients and inversely correlated with disease severity. These cellular markers rebounded in the blood of MG patients after thymus removal surgery, suggesting their potential role as markers of disease activity.