Immunologic aspects of myasthenia gravis

Abstract

Clinical and pathologic features of myasthenia gravis suggest a possible autoimmune etiology. Myasthenia is found in association with other putative autoimmune diseases and autoantibodies including anti-muscle antibodies. There is also in vitro evidence for cell-mediated immunity to muscle in blood and thymic cells as well as a suggestion of antigenic disparity between blood and thymic cells. In addition, two experimental animal models are under investigation. It seems likely that the immune system plays a role in the pathogenesis, but what that role is and how it relates to neuromuscular block is not clear.