Myasthenia gravis sera have no effect on cardiomyocytes in vitro

J Neuroimmunol. 2008 Sep 15:201-202:74-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2008.05.021. Epub 2008 Jul 15.

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder primarily caused by circulating autoantibodies targeting the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Several studies have suggested a link between MG and heart disease. Girardi heart cells were treated with MG sera, measuring cytotoxic effects using flow cytometry, adenylate kinase (AK) release and evaluating morphology. MG sera did not induce morphological changes in the cells. AK release from cells treated with MG sera did not exceed controls and flow cytometric examination did not reveal any increase in dead or apoptotic cells. We conclude that MG sera have no cytotoxic effect in our heart cell culture system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenylate Kinase / metabolism
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cell Line
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Humans
  • Immune Sera / pharmacology*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / blood*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / immunology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / pathology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism

Substances

  • Immune Sera
  • Adenylate Kinase