Increased blood plasma concentrations of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins in childhood autoimmune diseases

• Published in: Pediatric allergy and immunology Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 261 - 265
• Main Authors: Rissmann, Anke, Pieper, Stefanie, Adams, Ines, Brune, Thomas, Wiemann, Dagobert, Reinhold, Dirk
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-05-2009
• Subjects: Autoimmune Diseases - blood; Autoimmune Diseases - immunology; Autoimmune Diseases - therapy; Child; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous - administration & dosage; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous - immunology; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - blood; Transforming Growth Factor beta2 - blood
• ISSN: 1399-3038
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2008.00789.x

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.