Intravenous immunoglobulin and atherosclerosis

Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2005 Dec;29(3):311-9. doi: 10.1385/CRIAI:29:3:311.

Abstract

Several inflammatory and immunological factors have been established as important contributors to atherogenesis. Among these, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) play a central role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. In atherosclerotic lesions, oxLDL was also found to co-localize with beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2-GPI). Immunoglobulin (Ig)G autoantibodies against beta2-GPI complexed with oxLDL are pro-atherogenic because they increase uptake of the complexes by macrophages. In contrast, IgM natural anti-oxLDL antibodies derived from atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E (ApoE) deficient mice reduced incidence of atherosclerosis. Such anti-oxLDL antibodies have been found in humans, and the accumulating evidences seem to support the idea that anti-oxLDL antibodies have a protective role for atherogenesis. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIgs) contain natural anti-oxLDL antibodies and infusion of IVIg into ApoE-deficient mice has been reported to decrease atherosclerosis. The anti-atherogenic property of IVIg may be derived from non-antigen-specific antibody binding to FCgamma receptors, which blocks foam cell formation of macrophages. Several other possible mechanisms are also discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Atherosclerosis / immunology*
  • Atherosclerosis / physiopathology
  • Autoantibodies / immunology*
  • Foam Cells / immunology
  • Foam Cells / metabolism
  • Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / immunology
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use*
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / immunology*
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / metabolism
  • Mice
  • beta 2-Glycoprotein I

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Glycoproteins
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • beta 2-Glycoprotein I
  • oxidized low density lipoprotein