The Production Processes and Biological Effects of Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Abstract

Immunoglobulin is a highly diverse autologous molecule able to influence immunity in different physiological and diseased situations. Its effect may be visible both in terms of development and function of B and T lymphocytes. Polyclonal immunoglobulin may be used as therapy in many diseases in different circumstances such as primary and secondary hypogammaglobulinemia, recurrent infections, polyneuropathies, cancer, after allogeneic transplantation in the presence of infections and/or GVHD. However, recent studies have broadened the possible uses of polyclonal immunoglobulin showing that it can stimulate certain sub-populations of T cells with effects on T cell proliferation, survival and function in situations of lymphopenia. These results present a novel and considerable impact of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment in situations of severe lymphopenia, a situation that can occur in cancer patients after chemo and radiotherapy treatments. In this review paper the established and experimental role of polyclonal immunoglobulin will be presented and discussed as well as the manufacturing processes involved in their production.

Modifiers of mesenchymal stem cell quantity and quality

“…Also, it is unclear what donor pool size is adequate. IVIG and albumin manufacturing involves the use of plasma from thousands of donors . Recruiting such a large donor pool may not be feasible since both fat and marrow aspirates, common sources of MSCs, are more invasive than plasma collection.…”

Affinity of human IgG subclasses to mouse Fc gamma receptors

“…1 IgG is also used to treat immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases in the form of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), generated from a plasma pool of thousands of donors. 2,3 The working mechanisms, efficacy and safety of immunoglobulin therapies must be investigated in in vivo model systems before they can be studied in human trials. Therefore, a good understanding of the different model systems is required.…”

Intravenous immunoglobulins in dermatology. Part 1: biological mechanisms and methods of administration

“…IVIg is comprised of human plasma‐derived IgG along with sugars, salts and solvents . It is created from a combination of blood donors and plasma pools, and has been used in clinical practice for over 50 years . Using thousands of plasma pools generates a risk of pathogen transmission to the recipient .…”