Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025

In Vitro Methods for Comparing Target Binding and CDC Induction Between Therapeutic Antibodies: Applications in Biosimilarity Analysis
Published on: May 4, 2017
Immunological response after SARS-CoV-2 infection and mRNA vaccines in patients with myasthenia gravis treated with
Valentina Damato1, Gregorio Spagni2, Gabriele Monte3
1Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Drugs and Child Health, University of Florence, Italy.
Abstract:
In this study we employed a comprehensive immune profiling approach to determine innate and adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and mRNA vaccines in patients with myasthenia gravis receiving rituximab. By multicolour cytometry, dendritic and natural killer cells, B- and T-cell subsets, including T-cells producing IFN-γ stimulated with SARS-CoV-2 peptides, were analysed after infection and mRNA vaccination. In the same conditions, anti-spike antibodies and cytokines' levels were measured in sera. Despite the impaired B cell and humoral response, rituximab patients showed an intact innate, CD8 T-cell and IFN-γ specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell response after infection and vaccination, comparable to controls. No signs of cytokine mediated inflammatory cascade was observed. Our study provides evidence of protective immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection and mRNA vaccines in patients with myasthenia gravis on B cell depleting therapy and highlights the need for prospective studies with larger cohorts to clarify the role of B cells in SARS-CoV-2 immune response.
Related Concept Videos
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...
Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
Myocarditis III: Medical Management
Immunological Memory
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

