Immunomodulatory effects induced by intramuscular administration of autologous total immunoglobulin G in patients with atopic dermatitis

摘要

Abstract Background Polyvalent human immunoglobulin G (IgG) preparations produced from the plasma pools of healthy blood donors have been used for the treatment of various autoimmune diseases and allergic diseases because of their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. We hypothesized that intramuscular administration of autologous total IgG would induce immunomodulatory effects in patients with allergic diseases, based on the clinical efficacy of autologous blood therapy in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods Sixteen adult AD patients with IgE-mediated sensitization to the house dust mite ( Dermatophagoides farinae ) received intramuscular injections of 50 mg autologous total IgG twice a week for 4 weeks. The serum levels of IgE, IgG, and IgG4 antibodies to the recombinant group 2 major allergen of Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 2) and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-4, IL-12, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Results The serum level of IgE antibodies to Der f 2 was significantly decreased at 12 weeks compared with baseline ( p p p p >0.05). Conclusion Intramuscular administration of autologous total IgG induced anti-allergic immunomodulatory effects in AD patients. Further studies are required to evaluate the detailed immunological mechanism underlying these effects. Highlights ? Intramuscular administration of autologous total IgG (IM-ATIG) induced anti-allergic immunomodulatory effects. ? IM-ATIG decreased the serum levels of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. ? IM-ATIG increased the serum levels of allergen-specific IgG antibodies. ? IM-ATIG increased the serum levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ.