011 Intravenous immunoglobulin reduces pathogenic antibodies, serum IL-6 levels and disease severity in experimental bullous pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by autoantibodies to type XVII collagen (COL17). Currently, systemic corticosteroids are used as first-line treatments for BP; alternatively, intravenous administration of high-dose IgG (IVIG) has been shown to be effective for patients with steroid-resistant BP in clinical practice. However, the effect of IVIG on BP has not fully been investigated. To examine the effects and mechanisms of action of IVIG against BP we performed IVIG experiments using two experimental BP mouse models.
Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Adaptive and Auto-Immunity Source Type: research