Anti-presynaptic membrane receptor antibodies in myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is considered as an autoimmune disease of neuromuscular junction resulting from antibodies directed to acetylcholine receptors (AChR). The majority of patients with myasthenia gravis were shown to have T and B cells specific for a beta-bungarotoxin binding protein, presynaptic membrane receptor (PsmR). Such autoreactive T cells may be subdivided into different subsets according to the pattern of cytokine production.
PsmR-stimulated T cells secreted IFN-γ and/or IL-4.The majority of patients with myasthenia gravis were shown to have T and B cells specific for a beta-bungarotoxin binding protein, presynaptic membrane receptor (PsmR). Such autoreactive T cells may be subdivided into different subsets according to the pattern of cytokine production.