This Research Topic is Volume II of
Phenotypes of Myasthenia Gravis .
Phenotype is any observable or identifiable structural or functional characteristics of an organism. Disease phenotypes are observable and recognizable traits of diseases that are not limited to hereditary diseases. A single essential feature or a specific combination of features in a disease can be defined using qualitative and quantitative descriptions. It aims to understand the full spectrum of the disease, form a reasonable diagnostic process, lay the groundwork for assessing illness severity and treatment efficacy and identify patients' individualized characteristics to guide a more precise personalized treatment. Myasthenia gravis (MG) exhibits a high degree of phenotypic heterogeneity.
This research topic aims to provide an overview of current issues and research methods for identifying the clinical and immunological phenotypes of MG (quantitative/qualitative descriptions, clinical indicators, and instrumental assays), allocating phenotypic features into subgroups, and using phenotypic data in association and prediction studies to develop individualized treatment.
More submissions on the immunological phenotypes of MG are welcomed on this topic. At different stages of the disease, immunological phenotypes of MG are reflected not only by the presence and quantity of pathogenic antibodies but also by the profiles of innate and adaptive immunity. Multi-omics has aided in the identification of essential molecules and their dynamic changes in the development and progression of MG. Genetic effects on MG's immunological and clinical phenotypes are explored with cross-section and longitudinal association studies.
We published research articles, reviews, and opinions on Phenotypes of Myasthenia Gravis I. With this, we initial the topic Phenotypes of Myasthenia Gravis Volume II and continue to welcome the submission of Original Research Articles, Reviews, Brief Research Reports, Representative Case Reports, Opinions, and Perspectives addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Immunological phenotypes of MG (relationship between autoantibodies and clinical phenotypes, innovative methodology in MG-associated autoantibodies detection, immunological phenotypes [immune cells and immune molecules])
- Newly discovered autoantibodies and clinical associations in MG
- Clinical electrophysiology and its correlation with clinical phenotypes and immunological phenotypes of MG
- Immunological biomarkers for evaluating immune function and treatment efficacy in MG
- Clinical phenotypes of MG (demographic data, muscular involvement scope, muscular involvement sequence, severity, and comorbidities)
- Improvement of MG subgroup classification (classification and prognosis, subgroup classification methodology)
- Innovative evaluation methods for assessing impairments, activities of daily living, quality of life, health quality, short-term and long-term treatment efficacy, and assessment of disease stability in MG
- Association and prediction studies with the above-mentioned phenotypic data