IMMUNOREGULATION OF AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS - THE ROLE OF INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULINS

Modified and intact immunoglobulin preparations are available for therapeutic use. The administration of intra venous immunoglobulins (IVI G) gave positive results in Primary Immunodeficiency Syndromes (PIS) (prophylaxis of viral and bacterial diseases), in treatment of secondary immunodeficiencies (hematologic malignancies, bone marrow transplantation), and in some infections. Adverse reactions have been reported during IVIG infusions, but they are rarely serious and do not represent limiting conditions for a short or long term therapy. After the original observation in thrombocytopenic purpura, IVIG have been used as immune modulators in various autoimmune related disorders. Various mechanisms of action are proposed: blockade and down regulation of phagocytic function via Fc receptor, regulation of idiotype-anti idiotype network, suppression of idiotype synthesis, T-B cell interference towards antigen presentation, increase in suppresser lymphocytes, IVIG-cytokine interaction.