ImmunoglobulinG dimers and immune complexes are dispensable for the therapeutic efficacy of intravenous immune globulin in murine immune thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND: Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the therapeutic effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Noteworthy, a major role has been attributed to immunoglobulin (Ig)G dimers present in IVIG. It has also been suggested that immune complexes formed between IVIG and the patient's proteins after infusion could contribute to the therapeutic effect of IVIG in several autoimmune disorders. We recently observed that in-house preparations of polyclonal human IgG derived from small pools of plasma and devoid of IgG dimers were as efficient as IVIG in a mouse model of thrombocytopenia. In this work, we revisited the role of IgG dimers in the therapeutic effects of IVIG in ITP. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We used the passive mouse model of ITP to determine the therapeutic efficacy of human IgG preparations devoid of IgG dimers and of dimer-enriched and -depleted commercial IVIG. Immune complex formation between IVIG and mouse plasma proteins was evaluated using a combination of chromatography and immunoprecipitation procedures. RESULTS: All preparations tested showed the same efficacy to alleviate ITP, regardless of their dimer contents. Significant amounts of immune complexes formed between IVIG and mouse plasma proteins were detected. However, the amount of immune complexes detected using the in-house preparation of human polyclonal IgG and mouse plasma was significantly lower, although the in-house preparation exhibited the same therapeutic efficacy as commercial IVIG. CONCLUSION: IgG dimers and immune complexes are dispensable to prevent thrombocytopenia in a mouse model of the disease.