Fig. 8: RANTES and sCD40L levels in platelet supernatants and co-cultures.

a RANTES levels were notably elevated in MG (n = 16) patient-derived platelet culture supernatants compared to HC and MMS groups (n = 10 per group; MG vs MMS p = 0.0481; MG vs MMS p = 0.0476). b Co-culture supernatants show elevated RANTES levels in MG patient-derived platelets co-cultured with Tn compared to HC-derived platelets (n = 7 per group, p = 0.0055). c RANTES levels in plasma were elevated in MG patients (n = 24), with a significant increase observed compared to the MMS group (n = 18; p = 0.0187). No significant differences were detected between MG and HC or between HC and MMS (n = 18 for HC). Positive correlations were observed between QMG scores and RANTES concentrations in plasma (d, n = 24) and platelet supernatants (e, n = 16). Correlations were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation (R = 0.5, p = 0.013 for plasma; R = 0.63, p = 0.0095 for platelet supernatants). f sCD40L levels in MG (n = 16) patient-derived platelet supernatants were significantly higher compared to the HC group (n = 10, p = 0.0264). g Co-culture supernatants also exhibit increased sCD40L levels in MG patient-derived platelets co-cultured with Tn cells compared to HC-derived platelets (n = 7 per group; p = 0.0159). A significant positive correlation was observed between plasma levels of sCD40L and RANTES (h, n = 24), suggesting a potential regulatory relationship. Correlation was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation (R = 0.47, p = 0.021). i RANTES neutralization in CD3/CD28-stimulated platelet-CD4+ T cell co-cultures (n = 11) led to a significant reduction in sCD40L levels (p = 0.0033), indicating that RANTES influences sCD40L secretion. For (a–c, f, g), data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (s.d.) with biologically independent data points shown. For (i), data are displayed as individual biological replicates with paired analysis. Statistical comparisons were performed using unpaired two-tailed Student’s t-tests (a, g), one-tailed Mann–Whitney U test (b), ordinary one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test (c, f), and paired two-tailed Student’s t-test (i). In all correlation plots (d, e, h), regression lines are shown with shaded 95% confidence intervals. Notions of statistical significance are as follows: *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01. Non-significant results are not depicted. nMG immunotherapy-naïve MG, HC healthy controls, MMS minimal clinical status, QMG score quantitative myasthenia gravis scores, w.Ps washed platelet supernatant, Tn naïve CD4+ T, Conc. concentration, n.Ab neutralization antibody. Source data are provided as a Source data file.