TY - JOUR AB - Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that affects neuromuscular junctions and is characterized by muscle weakness as a result of autoantibodies against certain proteins. As a heterogeneous disorder, MG presents with different types, including neonatal, ocular and generalized in both juveniles and adults. Different types of antibodies serve a role in how MG presents. The main biological characteristic of MG is the production of antibodies against the muscular acetylcholine receptor; however, other types of antibody have been associated with the disorder. The role of the thymus gland has been established and thymectomy is a possible treatment of the disease, along with traditional medication such as pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) and immunosuppresants. In recent years, steps have been made towards developing more sensitive diagnostic methods. Additionally, novel treatments have demonstrated promising results. Developing new assays may lead to an increased understanding of the disease and to unravelling the genetic pathway that leads to the development of neuromuscular diseases. AD - Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece Hellenic Agricultural Organization‑Demeter, Institute of Soil and Water Resources, Department of Soil Science of Athens, Lycovrisi, 14123 Athens, Greece University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care,National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece AU - Golfinopoulou,Rebecca AU - Papageorgiou,Louis AU - Efthimiadou,Aspasia AU - Bacopoulou,Flora AU - Chrousos,George,P. AU - Eliopoulos,Elias AU - Vlachakis,Dimitrios DA - 2021/07/01 DO - 10.3892/mmr.2021.12151 IS - 1 JO - Mol Med Rep KW - autoimmunity antibodies thymus human leukocyte antigen complex acetylcholine receptor biological compounds Myasthenia gravis with thymus hyperplasia weight obesity PY - 2021 SN - 1791-2997 1791-3004 SP - 512 ST - Clinical Genomic, phenotype and epigenetic insights into the pathology, autoimmunity and weight management of patients with Myasthenia Gravis (Review) T2 - Molecular Medicine Reports TI - Clinical Genomic, phenotype and epigenetic insights into the pathology, autoimmunity and weight management of patients with Myasthenia Gravis (Review) UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2021.12151 VL - 24 ER -