Distribution of multi-level B cell subsets in thymoma and thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis

Peng Zhang (Lead / Corresponding author), Yuxin Liu, Si Chen, Xinyu Zhang, Yuanguo Wang, Hui Zhang, Jian Li, Zhaoyu Yang, Kai Xiong, Shuning Duan, Zeyang Zhang, Yan Wang, Ping Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
64 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

B-cell subsets in peripheral blood (PB) and tumor microenvironment (TME) were evaluated to determine myasthenia gravis (MG) severity in patients with thymoma-associated MG (TMG) and the distribution of B cells in type B TMG. The distribution of mature B cells, including Bm1-Bm5, CD19+ and CD20+ B cells and non-switched (NSMBCs) and switched (SMBCs) memory B cells, were determined in 79 patients with thymoma or TMG. Quantitative relationships between the T and TMG groups and the TMG-low and TMG-high subgroups were determined. NSMBCs and SMBCs were compared in TME and PB. Type B thymoma was more likely to develop into MG, with types B2 and B3 being especially associated with MG worsening. The percentage of CD19+ B cells in PB gradually increased, whereas the percentage of CD20+ B cells and the CD19/CD20 ratio were not altered. The (Bm2 + Bm2')/(eBm5 + Bm5) index was significantly higher in the TMG-high than in thymoma group. The difference between SMBC/CD19+ and NSMBC/CD19+ B cell ratios was significantly lower in the thymoma than TMG group. NSMBCs assembled around tertiary lymphoid tissue in thymomas of patients with TMG. Few NSMBCs were observed in patients with thymoma alone, with these cells being diffusely distributed. MG severity in patients with TMG can be determined by measuring CD19+ B cells and Bm1-Bm5 in PB. The CD19/CD20 ratio is a marker of disease severity in TMG patients. Differences between NSMBCs and SMBCs in PB and TME of thymomas can synergistically determine MG severity in patients with TMG.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2674
Number of pages11
JournalScientific Reports
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2024

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Thymoma/complications
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets/pathology
  • Thymus Neoplasms/complications
  • B-Lymphocytes/pathology
  • Myasthenia Gravis/complications
  • Tumor Microenvironment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Distribution of multi-level B cell subsets in thymoma and thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this