- 作者：Luana Benedetti ; Monica Facco ; Diego Franciotta ; Chiara Dalla Torre ; Marta Campagnolo ; Marta Lucchetta ; Elisa Boscaro ; Mario Ermani ; Massimo Del Sette ; Tamara Berno ; Laura C ; iotto ; Renato Zambello ; Chiara Briani
- 关键词：Natural killer (NK) cells ; CD94/NKG2A ; Myelin associated glycoprotein ; Anti-MAG antibodies ; IgM ; Monoclonal gammopathy ; Rituximab
- 刊名：Journal of the Neurological Sciences
- 出版年：2013
- 出版时间：15 August, 2013
- 年：2013
- 卷：331
- 期：1-2
- 页码：86-89
- 全文大小：251 K
ss=""h4"">Background
Natural killer (NK) cells can bridge innate and acquired immunity, and play a role in autoimmunity. A few studies evaluated the distribution of NK cells and the expression of their receptors in chronic immune-mediated demyelinating polyneuropathies. We investigated NK cell distribution and NK cell receptor expression in 20 na?ve patients with anti-MAG polyneuropathy (MAG-PN).ss=""h4"">Methods
Using flow cytometry, we analysed NK cells and a series of NK cell receptors in the peripheral blood of patients with MAG-PN, and, as controls, in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating peripheral polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and in healthy subjects. Six MAG-PN patients were also tested after rituximab treatment.
ss=""h4"">Results
At baseline the percentage of NK cells did not differ among the groups. KIR2DL2 receptor expression in MAG-PN patients was higher, andCD94/NKG2A receptor expression in both MAG-PN and CIDP patients was lower than in healthy controls. These abnormalities did not correlate with any clinical or demographic variable. No modification was found after rituximab therapy.
ss=""h4"">Conclusions
The data suggest that MAG-PN shows abnormalities in NK cell receptors that characterise other autoimmune diseases, and cannot help in differential diagnosis with CIDP. The impairment of the relevant CD94/NKG2A inhibitory pathway, which might play a central role in the development and perpetuation of MAG-PN, warrants further functional investigations.