Effect of intravenous gammaglobulin on organ specific antibodies and lymphocyte subsets.

Author(s): Kahaly GJ

Affiliation(s): Department of Medicine III, Gutenberg-University Hospital, Mainz, Germany.

Publication date & source: 1996-05, Clin Exp Rheumatol., 14 Suppl 15:S37-40.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Controlled Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: The intravenous (i.v.) administration of immunoglobulins (Ig) has resulted in clinical improvement and decreased autoantibody titers in a large number of autoimmune diseases. In this study, the in vivo effects of polyvalent Ig for i.v. use (IVIG) on the level and course of organ-specific antibodies and lymphocyte subsets in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) were assessed. METHODS: 19 patients were treated with prednisolone (P) while 21 patients received IVIG. Thyroid microsomal, thyroglobulin- and thyrotropin-receptor autoantibodies (Abs), as well as the lymphocyte ratio CD4/CD8, were measured before and at the end of immunosuppressive therapy. RESULTS: Among the patients treated with IVIG, there was a marked decrease (p < 0.0001) in the microsomal, thyroglobulin and TSH-receptor Abs titers. Significant changes in the titers were also observed after P therapy. The lymphocyte ratio dropped markedly in both groups (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSION: The significant decrease in organ specific Abs in the IVIG group may be explained in terms of a direct and local immunosuppressive effect of the drug on the intrathyroid lymphocytes.