CD4+ CD25(high) regulatory T cell in childhood ocular myasthenia gravis

Abstract

Dysfunction of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cell (Treg) has been demonstrated to play an important role in the development of autoimmune myasthenia gravis. This T cell subset, which has potent regulatory properties against immune response, has been reported to have a numerical or functional defect in patients with myasthenia gravis. We examined various T cell subsets, including CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using flow cytometry in a pediatric patient suffering from ocular myasthenia gravis. Contrary to previous reports, the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg in peripheral blood decreased significantly after successful treatment with prednisolone. This discrepancy could result from diversity within the immunopathogenesis of myasthenia gravis and may underpin a particular subgroup of myasthenia gravis seen in the East-Asian pediatric population.