title: Immunomodulating therapy of rheumatoid arthritis by high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin.
abstract: 11 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVGG). In 6 patients clinical results were impressive, although lasting responses could be achieved in 3 patients only. This treatment was immunomodulating, since the immunoregulatory T-cell ratio (CD4/CD8) decreased following therapy by reducing CD4-positive cells in-vivo. By use of anti-mu-antibodies as a B-cell specific mitogen, IVGG-treatment was seen to suppress early processes of B cell activation. In parallel to these cellular effects, IVGG led to a reduction in the levels of polyethyleneglycol-precipitated circulating immune complexes as measured by lasernephelometry.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik III und Poliklinik, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mitropoulou
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Helmke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous