Intravenous Immunoglobulin: Mechanism of Action in Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

Authors: Bayry, J; Ahmed, E; Toscano-Rivero, D; Vonniessen, N; Genest, G; Cohen, C; Dembele, M; Kaveri, SV; Mazer, BD

Affiliations : Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France. Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad, Palakkad, India. Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Translational Program in Respiratory Diseases and Department of Pediatrics, McGill University Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Publication: The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice; 2023

Abstract: IVIG is the mainstay of therapy for humoral immune deficiencies and numerous inflammatory disorders. Although the use of IVIG may be supplanted by several targeted therapies to cytokines, the ability of polyclonal IgG to not only act as an effector molecule but as a regulatory molecule is a clear example of the polyfunctionality of IVIG. This review will address the mechanism of action of IVIG in a number of important conditions that are otherwise resistant to treatment. In this commentary we will highlight mechanistic studies that shed light on the action of IVIG. This will be approached by identifying effects that are both common and disease specific, targeting actions that have been demonstrated on cells and processes that represent both innate and adaptive immune responses.