Increased blood plasma concentrations of TGF- beta 1 and TGF- beta 2 after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins in childhood autoimmune diseases

• Published in: Pediatric allergy and immunology 2009-05, Vol.20 (3), p.261-265
• Main Authors: Rissmann, Anke, Pieper, Stefanie, Adams, Ines, Brune, Thomas, Wiemann, Dagobert, Reinhold, Dirk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0905-6157; 1399-3038
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2008.00789.x

Rissmann A, Pieper S, Adams I, Brune T, Wiemann D, Reinhold D. Increased blood plasma concentrations of TGF- beta 1 and TGF- beta 2 after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins in childhood autoimmune diseases. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2009: 20: 261-265. [copy ] 2008 The Authors Journal compilation [copy ] 2008 Blackwell MunksgaardTransforming 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- beta 1 (16.95 plus or minus 8.16 ng-ml) as well as TGF- beta 2 (62.71 plus or minus 9.50 ng-ml) were detected in the used 56 IVIG probes. TGF- beta 1 and TGF- beta 2 plasma concentrations were measured prior and 120 min after IVIG infusions by specific TGF- beta ELISA. Interestingly, significant increased TGF- beta 1 and TGF- beta 2 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.