Biomaterial Database

Immunomodulatory effects of intravenous immunoglobulin in severe steroid-dependent asthma. 1989

B D Mazer, and P C Giclas, and E W Gelfand

Division of Basic Sciences, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80206.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has become an accepted mode of therapy in immune diseases with the potential to act as an immune enhancer or immunomodulator. A 14-year-old girl with severe steroid-dependent asthma was enrolled in a trial of high dose intravenous immunoglobulin because of the unremitting nature of her illness and severe steroid side effects. She received 2 g/kg of IVIG every month for six months. In the 4 months preceding IVIG therapy she had repeated exacerbations of her asthma. In contrast, during the 6 months of IVIG therapy, she only had one exacerbation of her asthma. Her steroid dose was tapered by 75% and her FEV1 improved by 100%. To detect alterations in immune reactivity, we monitored serial skin tests to an individualized panel of antigens, RAST tests to the same panel, and specific IgG levels. Serial titrations of her prick skin tests showed a 2-3 log increase in threshold for skin reactivity to all five antigens on her panel. In parallel, RAST results to the same antigen panel showed a decrease in specific IgE production. The significant clinical improvement and steroid reduction in this patient appear due, at least in part, to the immunomodulatory effects of high dose IVIG therapy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007073	Immunoglobulin E	An immunoglobulin associated with MAST CELLS. Overexpression has been associated with allergic hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE).	IgE
D007136	Immunoglobulins	Multi-subunit proteins which function in IMMUNITY. They are produced by B LYMPHOCYTES from the IMMUNOGLOBULIN GENES. They are comprised of two heavy (IMMUNOGLOBULIN HEAVY CHAINS) and two light chains (IMMUNOGLOBULIN LIGHT CHAINS) with additional ancillary polypeptide chains depending on their isoforms. The variety of isoforms include monomeric or polymeric forms, and transmembrane forms (B-CELL ANTIGEN RECEPTORS) or secreted forms (ANTIBODIES). They are divided by the amino acid sequence of their heavy chains into five classes (IMMUNOGLOBULIN A; IMMUNOGLOBULIN D; IMMUNOGLOBULIN E; IMMUNOGLOBULIN G; IMMUNOGLOBULIN M) and various subclasses.	Globulins, Immune,Immune Globulin,Immune Globulins,Immunoglobulin,Globulin, Immune
D007262	Infusions, Intravenous	The long-term (minutes to hours) administration of a fluid into the vein through venipuncture, either by letting the fluid flow by gravity or by pumping it.	Drip Infusions,Intravenous Drip,Intravenous Infusions,Drip Infusion,Drip, Intravenous,Infusion, Drip,Infusion, Intravenous,Infusions, Drip,Intravenous Infusion
D011241	Prednisone	A synthetic anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid derived from CORTISONE. It is biologically inert and converted to PREDNISOLONE in the liver.	Dehydrocortisone,delta-Cortisone,Apo-Prednisone,Cortan,Cortancyl,Cutason,Dacortin,Decortin,Decortisyl,Deltasone,Encorton,Encortone,Enkortolon,Kortancyl,Liquid Pred,Meticorten,Orasone,Panafcort,Panasol,Predni Tablinen,Prednidib,Predniment,Prednison Acsis,Prednison Galen,Prednison Hexal,Pronisone,Rectodelt,Sone,Sterapred,Ultracorten,Winpred,Acsis, Prednison
D012129	Respiratory Function Tests	Measurement of the various processes involved in the act of respiration: inspiration, expiration, oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, lung volume and compliance, etc.	Lung Function Tests,Pulmonary Function Tests,Function Test, Pulmonary,Function Tests, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Function Test,Test, Pulmonary Function,Tests, Pulmonary Function,Function Test, Lung,Function Test, Respiratory,Function Tests, Lung,Function Tests, Respiratory,Lung Function Test,Respiratory Function Test,Test, Lung Function,Test, Respiratory Function,Tests, Lung Function,Tests, Respiratory Function
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D001249	Asthma	A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL).	Asthma, Bronchial,Bronchial Asthma,Asthmas
D012882	Skin Tests	Epicutaneous or intradermal application of a sensitizer for demonstration of either delayed or immediate hypersensitivity. Used in diagnosis of hypersensitivity or as a test for cellular immunity.	Skin Test,Test, Skin,Tests, Skin