Serum interleukin-27 expression in patients with myasthenia gravis

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a well-characterized autoimmune disease directed at the postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or end plate of the neuromuscular junction. Interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-17, and thymic abnormality are related to the pathogenesis and immunoregulation of MG. IL-27 is a new cytokine that promote T helper 1 (Th1) cells differentiation, inhibit the differentiation and function of T helper 17 (Th17), T helper 2 (Th2) cells. In addition, IL-27 is critical for the function of T follicular helper cells and for germinal center responses.

The purpose of this study was to assess the role of IL-27 in human MG pathogenesis. We determined IL-27 levels in patients with MG (n=32) compared to healthy controls (n=50). Serum IL-27 levels of patients with MG and controls were 35.947 (23.044-112.949) pg/mL and 19.885 (7.795-118.372) pg/mL, respectively which were significantly higher in MG patients (p=0.019). Furthermore, Serum IL-27 levels were significantly higher in early onset MG patients (classified as patients with age of onset < 50) than in late onset MG patients (p=0.022): 52.809 (25.901-252.894) pg/mL and 26.068 (17.773-36.270) pg/mL, respectively. This study suggests the possibility that IL-27 might contribute to MG pathogenesis or immunoregulation.