title: Increased blood plasma concentrations of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins in childhood autoimmune diseases.
abstract: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), a multifunctional, immunosuppressive cytokine, is shown to be present in substantial amounts in commercially available intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) preparations. To assess whether TGF-beta isoforms are changed in the plasma of paediatric patients with childhood autoimmune diseases after IVIG infusion, 17 patients who received over a period of 12 months overall 56 IVIG infusions (Endobulin) were enrolled in a study. High levels of TGF-beta1 (16.95 +/- 8.16 ng/ml) as well as TGF-beta2 (62.71 +/- 9.50 ng/ml) were detected in the used 56 IVIG probes. TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 plasma concentrations were measured prior and 120 min after IVIG infusions by specific TGF-beta ELISA. Interestingly, significant increased TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 plasma levels were found in patients after treatment with IVIG. This data suggest that a TGF-beta-mediated mechanism of action may accompany other molecular effects of IVIG therapy. The amount of the potent anti-inflammatory TGF-beta isoforms within the IVIG preparations may exert a differentiated view regarding the manifold indications of IVIG therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Madgeburg D-39120, Germany.
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rissmann
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pieper
authors.forename: Ines
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brune
authors.forename: Dagobert
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wiemann
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reinhold