title: Low-dose Anti-thymocyte Globulin Inhibits Human B-cell Differentiation into Antibody-Secreting Cells.
abstract: Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is used in the treatment of acute organ rejection. We studied in vitro the effect of low-dose ATG on B-cell activation and differentiation to antibody-secreting cells, as this may have an effect on B cell-driven autoimmune diseases, such as pemphigus vulgaris. Immunoglobulin production was analysed in the supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and CD19+ B cells from healthy donors and from patients with different autoimmune diseases. B-cell proliferation, viability and differentiation were analysed using flow cytometry. Differentiation of B cells to immunoglobulin G (IgG) secreting cells was significantly reduced by ATG, but not by control unspecific IgG from non-immunized rabbits (rIgG). B-cell viability was not altered by sub-depleting concentrations of ATG. In contrast, B-cell proliferation was enhanced by ATG. When PBMC from patients with autoimmune diseases were studied, specific autoantibodies could be detected in 1 out of 10 patients. In this patient, who had pemphigus vulgaris, ATG not only decreased total IgG, but decreased also specific anti-desmoglein-3. In conclusion, these data suggest that ATG at low concentrations inhibits B-cell differentiation and function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, DE-10117 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Klaus
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heine
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rasche
authors.forename: Margitta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Worm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000032:analysis; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018941:Antigens, CD19; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents