[Immunomodulatory effects of intravenous immunoglobulins in autoimmune diseases].
OBJECTIVE
Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) therapy has been reported to be beneficial in a large number of autoantibody-mediated or self-reactive T cells-associated autoimmune diseases. Thus, the beneficial effect of IVIg is probably due to multiple distinct mechanisms.


RESULTS
The immunoregulatory effect of IVIg in autoimmune diseases is dependent on: interaction of the Fc portion of IVIg with Fc receptors on leucocyte surfaces; interaction of infused IgG with complement components; modulation of synthesis and release of cytokines produced by lymphocytes and monocytes: V region-dependent neutralization of circulating autoantibodies by infused IgG; selection of immune repertoires; modulation of cell proliferation, particularly through modulation of Fas-induced apoptosis; interaction of IVIg with numerous other molecules onto the surface of T and B cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Better understanding of these mechanisms should allow a better definition of the spectrum of diseases likely to benefit from IVIg treatment.
Mouthon
L
L
Inserm U430, Hôpital Broussais, Paris.
Lacroix-Desmazes
S
S
Pashov
A
A
Kaveri
S V
SV
Kazatchkine
M D
MD
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000187:drug effects; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001323:Autoantibodies; D016207:Cytokines; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D011961:Receptors, Fc