Changes In Ig Levels Research Articles

Immunoglobulin levels are higher at multiple sclerosis onset — a part of natural history?

BackgroundChanges in immunoglobulin (Ig) levels may occur in association with various drugs targeting immunity, including disease-modifying drugs (DMD) and corticosteroids (CS) used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). However, kinetics of Ig levels during the natural history of MS is poorly described. ObjectiveTo describe the natural history of the Ig levels in MS. MethodsMonocentric retrospective study examining changes in Ig levels in relation with CS intake in a series of 304 consecutive MS patients (and 1204 samples) followed or hospitalized for 7 years in a single centre. Ig levels are routinely collected in MS patients followed in our centre. ResultsIgG levels were higher in samples taken at diagnosis than in those taken after the onset of MS symptoms. This effect was also observed in patients remaining free of DMD or CS since onset. On the other hand, overall Ig levels remained stable across fixed time points ranging from 1 to 20 years after onset ConclusionAn unanticipated finding of this study was the transient higher IgG levels in samples taken at onset, which suggests that strong inflammatory processes may occur early.

Corticosteroid-induced low immunoglobulin levels in multiple sclerosis — A confounding factor

BackgroundChanges in immunoglobulin (Ig) levels may occur in association with various drugs targeting immunity, including those used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). However, influence of high-dose corticosteroids (CS) is poorly described. ObjectiveTo describe influence of disease-modifying drugs (DMD) and CS on the Ig levels. MethodsMonocentric retrospective study examining changes in Ig levels in relation with CS intake in a series of 304 consecutive MS patients (and 1204 samples) followed or hospitalized for 7 years in a single centre. Ig levels are routinely collected in MS patients followed in our centre. ResultsIgG levels were significantly lower in MS patients exposed to CS infusion during the last 24 months. IgG levels were also lower in DMD-treated patients exposed to CS. DMD-specific decrease of IgM levels was confirmed in interaction with CS. ConclusionStratification by CS exposure suggested that a decrease in Ig levels occurring during DMD treatment was strongly associated with CS infusion. The strong and persistent effect of CS on Ig levels could be a hidden variable and should be considered in further studies targeting Ig levels.

Serum Immunoglobulin Levels in Children with Sickle Cell Disease: A Large Prospective Study.

Over the past 3 decades, the pediatric department of the university Intercommunal Créteil hospital, a referral center for sickle cell disease (SCD), has prospectively evaluated immunoglobulin (Ig) levels in a cohort of 888 children with SCD, including 731 with severe sickle genotypes (HbSS and HbSβ0 thalassemia) and 157 with milder genotypes (HbSC and HbSβ+ thalassemia). We found consistent sickle genotype differences in levels of IgG and IgA, with increased levels of IgA and IgG in the severe versus milder genotype, from early childhood to late adolescence. Additionally, our results revealed a low serum IgM level, irrespective of sickle genotype. Finally, we found that IgA and IgG levels were significantly increased after therapeutic intensification with hydroxyurea but were stabilized in children receiving a transfusion program. The mechanisms contributing to these changes in Ig levels are unclear as is their clinical significance. We believe they should be further investigated.

Effect of butyrate on passive transfer of immunity in dairy calves

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of supplemental butyrate on (1) Ig production in dams and (2) Ig absorption in their calves. Twenty dry dams fed a close-up total mixed ration were assigned to either a control treatment (CTRL-D) or a butyrate treatment where the close-up total mixed ration was supplemented with butyrate at 1% of dry matter intake (wt/wt; BUT-D). At calving, calves were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: a control group fed colostrum replacer only (CTRL-C) and a butyrate group fed colostrum replacer with supplemental butyrate at 2.5% (wt/vol; BUT-C). Serum IgG, glucose, and β-hydroxybutyrate were measured weekly in both dams and calves. Additionally, calves were weighed weekly to determine average daily gain. In dams, serum IgG concentration was not different between CTRL-D and BUT-D (1,785 ± 117 vs. 1,736 ± 137 mg/dL, respectively), nor was there a change in Ig levels in the colostrum between control and butyrate groups. Serum total protein did not differ between CTRL-D and BUT-D dams. Dam dry matter intake did not differ between CTRL-D and BUT-D but did decrease 1 wk before parturition. Compared with CTRL-C calves, BUT-C calves had significantly decreased serum IgG concentration at 24 h (2,110 ± 124 vs. 1,400 ± 115 mg/dL), wk 1 (1,397 ± 121 vs. 866 ± 115 mg/dL), and wk 2 (1,310 ± 121 vs. 797 ± 115 mg/dL). Additionally, apparent efficiency of absorption was lower for the BUT-C group compared with the CTRL-C group (35.3 ± 2.1 vs. 25.9 ± 2.0). Differences in serum Ig concentrations between the CTRL-C and BUT-C groups did not affect average daily gain (0.59 ± 0.05 vs. 0.48 ± 0.05 kg/d, respectively), serum glucose concentrations, or serum β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. These data demonstrate that butyrate inclusion in colostrum negatively affects IgG absorption in newborn calves, whereas calf body weight gains were unaffected.

Serum immunoglobulin G, M, and IgG : IgM ratio as predictors for outcome of childhood nephrotic syndrome

Objectives The objectives of this study were to compare immunoglobulin (Ig) levels in children with nephrotic syndrome and healthy children to understand changes in diseased state and predict response to treatment. Background Nephrotic syndrome is an immune-mediated disorder of the kidney associated with T-cell dysfunction and secondary disturbance of B-cell with changes in levels of Ig and the IgG : IgM ratio. These changes in Ig levels can be used as a proxy marker to determine the clinical variety and prognosis of nephrotic syndrome. Materials and methods Twenty-five children with nephrotic syndrome attended the Nephrology Unit of Pediatric Department of Menoufia University Hospital from October 2011 to January 2013. Their ages ranged from 1 to 15 years (mean = 6.3 years); 12 (60%) were boys and eight (40%) were girls. All patients were in the active stage of the disease. Twenty-five apparently healthy children were enrolled as a control group. Results In the 25 children with nephrotic syndrome, 10 (40%) had steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome, five (20%) had steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, five (20%) developed frequent relapses, and five (20%) had infrequent relapse nephrotic syndrome. Compared with the healthy children, the IgG level was low, the IgM level was high, and the IgG : IgM ratio was low ( P ≤ 0.05). The serum IgG level and the IgG : IgM ratio were significantly lower in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and in children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome than in those with infrequent relapse nephrotic syndrome and in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome ( P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion Management of different nephrotic syndromes is based on the levels of Ig along with clinical and biochemical parameters. The decrease in the IgG level as a predictive marker for an unfavorable prognosis of nephrotic syndrome in children needs further evaluation in larger scale studies.

FRI0395 Effect of Rituximab on Different Isotypes of Serum Immunoglobulins in Patients with Sle

BackgroundThe impact of rituximab therapy on different compartments of the immune system may inform as to the possible clinical response and also maintenance of protective immunity. We conducted a retrospective...

A3.27 Effect of rituximab on different isotypes of serum immunoglobulins in patients with SLE

Background and AimsThe impact of rituximab therapy on different compartments of the immune system may inform as to the possible clinical response and also maintenance of protective immunity. We conducted...

Hormonal regulation of immunoglobulins: influence of estradiol on immunoglobulins A and G in the rat uterus.

Uterine secretions from rats at various stages of the estrous cycle, after ovariectomy or hypophysectomy and after steroid administration to ovariectomized animals, were examined to assess the influence of hormones on the presence of immunoglobulins A and G (IgA and IgG). Both Igs were found to increase at the proestrus stage of the estrous cycle. At estrus, IgG dropped to low levels while IgA remained partially elevated. At diestrus, Ig levels were similar to those measured after ovariectomy. Changes in Ig levels during the estrous cycle are probably due to estradiol, since of those hormones studied, only estradiol increased uterine IgA and IgG in ovariectomized or hypophysectomized rats. In addition to being specific for estradiol, the uterine Ig response was dependent upon the length of time and the dose of estradiol administered. Short term administration of estradiol (2–3 days) resulted in marked elevations in IgA and IgG, whereas long term exposure (6–14 days) failed to maintain the initial increase. IgA to IgG ratios were measured in uterine secretions and serum samples from rats at various stages of the estrous cycle and after estradiol administration to ovariectomized rats. In all cases examined, ratios of IgA to IgG were higher in uterine secretions than in serum. The differences observed indicate that the presence of IgA and IgG in the uterus cannot be accounted for solely by serum leakage. The results of this study indicate that estradiol plays an important role in regulating uterine IgA and IgG. Further, it suggests that the increase in the Ig levels that occur spontaneously during the estrous cycle is probably due to the action of estradiol in the uterus. (Endocrinology106: 1020, 1980)

Changes in serum immunoglobulin levels in Jerseys and Friesians near calving

IgG1 and IgM levels were significantly lower in bovine serum from four weeks before, until at least two months after calving, whereas IgG2 levels were elevated at this time. The shapes of the changes in Ig levels were different for first and second calving and it appeared that IgG1 levels were secreted earlier, from serum to colostrum, in heifers. Changes in management caused marked changes in Ig levels particularly after third calving when the cows were transferred from a balanced complete diet to grass or hay. IgG1 levels increased by 130 per cent and stayed high whereas the increase in IgM was transitory, and IgG2 levels largely unaffected. In Friesians the IgG2 levels increased with age as anticipated from previous studies but in Jerseys the levels appeared to decline with age. Mean IgG2 levels in Jerseys were also significantly lower than in Friesians.

Regulation of antibody formation by serum antibody. II. Removal of specific antibody by means of exchange transfusion.

Rabbits were immunized to two antigens and 18-55 days later exchange transfusion was performed using blood of rabbits immunized to one antigen only. By this means, serum antibody levels to one antigen were reduced 50-84% while maintaining serum antibody levels to the second antigen. After exchange, serum antibody levels of the removed antibody rose rapidly for 24-48 hr and then more slowly, reaching peak titers an average of 8 days later. The peak titer was 48-222% higher than the preexchange titer. The specificity of this rebound excluded as a cause nonspecific changes in Ig levels. Passive administration of antibody to a third antigen 4-7 days before the exchange indicated that re-equilibration of preformed antibody was not a major factor in the rebound. A change in the ratio of IgM to IgG antibodies as a cause of an increased neutralization titer in the postexchange sera was also excluded. It was therefore suggested that a change in the rate of antibody formation had occurred, although other changes in the quality of serum antibody were not excluded.