CCR9 AND CCR7 are overexpressed in CD4 super(-)CD8 super(-) thymocytes of myasthenia gravis patients

• Published in: Muscle & nerve Vol. 55; no. 1; pp. 84 - 90
• Main Authors: Li, Qianru, Liu, Pingping, Xuan, Xiaoyan, Zhang, Junfeng, Zhang, Yun, Zhu, Zhengkun, Gao, Feng, Zhang, Qingyong, Du, Ying
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2017
• ISSN: 0148-639X; 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.24999

Introduction: Chemokine CC motif receptors 9 and 7 (CCR9 and CCR7) play a major role in the migration of T-cell precursors to the thymus to initiate T thymopoiesis. However, their role in development of T-cells in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients has not been fully elucidated. Methods: Expression and distribution of CCR9 super(+) and CCR7 super(+) cells were detected by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to check the adhesion molecules on CD4 super(-)CD8 super(-) double-negative (DN) thymocytes. Results: CCR9 and CCR7 expression by DN thymocytes increased in the MG thymus; the levels of CCR9, CCR7, interleukin-7R mRNA increased, and CXCR4 levels decreased compared with levels in the non-MG thymus. More CCR7 and CCR9 double-positive (DP) thymocytes were gathered near the subcapsular region in MG thymus. Conclusions: Enhanced expression of CCR9 and CCR7 may complicate the differentiation of DP thymocytes from the DN stage in MG thymus. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 55: 84-90, 2017