Article

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is a
membranous immunoglobulin involved in the pathogenesis of numerous autoimmune
diseases and tumors.
The aim of this study was to investigate the possible
involvement of RAGE in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis. METHODS: This prospective study included 41 cases of myasthenia gravis treated at
our institution between 2010 and 2015. There were 18 men and 23 women, with an
average age of 36.44+/-14.47 years. The majority of patients (24.4%) were
classified as IIb, according to MGFA scoring, and 21 of them required
corticosteroid and/or immunosuppressive treatment. Assessment of RAGE in thymus
specimens was done by immunohistochemistry using RAGE antibody (C-term). RAGE
expression was assessed according to various clinical, paraclinical and
pathological parameters. RESULTS: Histopathological studies found 18 thymomas, 17
hyperplasias and six other types of pathology. Expression of RAGE was
negative/weak in 19 cases and moderate/strong in 22 cases. It was more important
in thymoma type B2 (P<0.001) and when the duration of myasthenia was short
(P=0.04), and was not significantly related to either myasthenia clinical
severity or preoperative treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the RAGE
pathway is involved in myasthenia gravis pathophysiology, especially at disease
onset, and in forms with thymomas. Further studies would be indispensable to
explore other aspects of this signaling pathway, especially the potential role of
different ligands and soluble forms of RAGE.
CI - Copyright (c) 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS