Immunological memory following immunosuppression of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis with azathioprine

Abstract

Administration of azathioprine for 3 months prevents the appearance of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) for at least 12 months in rabbits injected once with acetylcholine receptor (AChR). A second AChR injection to such immunosuppressed rabbits results in a fast and steep increase in anti-AChR antibody titer, accompanied by an appearance of EAMG 5–15 days later, as is the case after a secondary injection with AChR. The pathologic anamnestic response was not awakened by the cross-reactive denatured AChR which by itself is devoid of myasthenic activity. These findings suggest that immunological memory is maintained following immunosuppressive treatment with azathioprine.