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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Kahaly
G J
GJ
Department of Medicine III, Gutenberg-University Hospital, Mainz, Germany.
D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects*; D008713:Methimazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008861:Microsomes / Q000276:immunology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000276:immunology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin; D008713:Methimazole; D011239:Prednisolone