[The role of TNIP1 in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis among patients with thymoma].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of TNFα induced protein 3 interacting protein 1 (TNIP1) in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG) among patients with thymoma.

METHODS

From December 2014 to March 2015, 11 patients with MG associated thymoma (MGT) and 11 non-MG thymoma (NMGT) patients receiving thymectomy were selected. Thymus specimens were obtained during surgery, and peripheral venous blood samples were obtained before the surgery. For the MGT cohorts, peripheral venous blood samples were also collected at 3-6 months after the surgery. TNIP1 mRNA was determined with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and its protein expression was evaluated by Western blotting.

RESULTS

For both thymus specimen and peripheral blood samples, the levels of TNIP1 mRNA and protein in the MGT group were both significantly lower than those of the NMGT patients (P<0.05). For the MGT group, the levels of TNIP1 mRNA and protein of the peripheral blood samples have increased following thymus resection compared with before the surgery.

CONCLUSION

Reduced TNIP1 expression may have a role in the pathogenesis of MG for patients with thymoma. Thymectomy may help to recover the expression of TNIP1 among such patients.