Myasthenia gravis (MG) is mainly mediated by pathogenic autoantibodies secreted by effector B cells. Cytokines secreted by various immune cells can participate in MG development by regulating B lymphocyte activity and modulating lymphocyte differentiation. This article reviews the recent advance in role of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-17, and transforming growth factor-β in MG development and cytokine-targeted MG treatment, with the aim of providing new ideas for MG diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis assessment.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is mainly mediated by pathogenic autoantibodies secreted by effector B cells. Cytokines secreted by various immune cells can participate in MG development by regulating B lymphocyte activity and modulating lymphocyte differentiation. This article reviews the recent advance in role of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-17, and transforming growth factor-β in MG development and cytokine-targeted MG treatment, with the aim of providing new ideas for MG diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis assessment.