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Epitope‐specific glutamic acid decarboxylase‐65 autoantibodies in intravenous immunoglobulin preparations
Author(s) -
Hao Wu,
Connie L. Davis,
Terri Daniels,
Christiane S. Hampe,
Åke Lernmark
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
transfusion medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1365-3148
pISSN - 0958-7578
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3148.1999.00214.x
Subject(s) - autoantibody , glutamate decarboxylase , medicine , antibody , immunology , stiff person syndrome , epitope , enzyme , biology , biochemistry
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been used to treat many autoimmune disorders including Stiff‐Man Syndrome (SMS). SMS is a neurological disorder associated with an immune‐mediated deficiency of gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) due to autoantibodies against the GABA synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase‐65 (GAD65). GAD65 autoantibodies are present among 1–2% of healthy individuals. It can therefore not be excluded that GAD65 autoantibodies may be present in IVIG, which is prepared from multiple blood donors. We report here that GAD65 but not IA‐2 autoantibodies were present in commercial IVIG preparations. The presence of autoantibodies may affect the outcome of IVIG treatment and screening commercial preparations of IVIG for GAD65 autoantibodies is therefore recommended before treating patients.