Fig.2

NIK is upregulated in B cells and CD4⁺T cells from MG patients. A RNAseq analysis of CD19⁺B cells from MG patients (n = 4) during active and remission phase. B Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) utilizing all gene sets from MSigDB, where gene sets associated with NF-κB and TNF signaling were significantly upregulated. C RNAseq differential genes intersect with NF-κB and TNF signaling pathway genes in Genecard database. D Volcano plots for 39 differentially expressed genes. Red dots represent up-regulated differential genes (fold change > 1.5, P value < 0.05), blue dots represent down-regulated differential genes (fold change < 0.67, P < 0.05), and non-significant differential genes are shown in gray. E–I NIK expression on lymphocyte subsets between HCs (n = 32) and new-onset MG patients (n = 45) detected by flow cytometry. J–K NIKmRNA levels on B cells and CD4⁺T cells between HCs (n = 10) and new-onset MG patients (n = 15) detected by qPCR. Data are displayed as means ± SD or median with interquartile ranges. Statistical analysis was conducted by independent sample t-test (normal distribution) or Mann–Whitney U test (non-normal distribution) (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ns: non-significant)