Fig.3

Correlations of serum NIK levels with different disease subtypes, clinical severity score, B cell subsets and disease status in MG patients. A–E Serum NIK levels between HCs (n = 50) and new-onset MG (n = 76), male MG (n = 36) and female MG (n = 40), EOMG (n = 30) and LOMG (n = 46), OMG (n = 26) and GMG (n = 50), and non-TAMG (n = 52) and TAMG (n = 24). 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). F Heat map displaying correlations of NIK levels with clinical severity of MG patients and B cell subsets. G–J NIK levels were positively correlated with QMG score, MGFA classification and plasmablast cells. Statistical analysis was conducted by spearman’s correlation analysis. K–N Serum NIK levels during the acute onset and remission phases of MG patients (n = 22). Data are displayed as means ± SD. Statistical analysis was conducted by Paired sample t test (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ns: non-significant). O ROC for diagnostic value of NIK in MG