Submitted January 16, 2002
Accepted February 25, 2002
Influence of plasma immunoglobulin level on antibody synthesis
Andreas Goldammer, Kurt Derfler, Kurt Herkner, Arthur R Bradwell, Walter H Hoerl, and Martin Haas*
Internal Medicine III, Div. of Nephrology, Univ.Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Department of Pediatric Laboratory Medicine, Univ.Hospital Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Department of Immunology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
* Corresponding author; email: martin.haas{at}akh-wien.ac.at.
In previous experimental animal studies it has been demonstrated that antibody depletion is not followed by increased antibody synthesis. In order to assess whether these results are conferrable to antibody depleted humans, we measured free light chains (flc) as markers of current antibody synthesis in eight patients treated with immunoadsorption (IA) therapy. Specific-, and bulk immunoglobulin levels were obtained simultaneously. The mean serum flc concentration increased to the pre-apheresis value within one day and remained unchanged thereafter. Total IgG and specific antibody concentrations increased to pre-treatment values in 88% and 43% of the patients, respectively, and remained below the original values in the others. In conclusion, the lack of increased flc synthesis after IA confirms the absence of a feedback mechanism regulating antibody synthesis. The restoration of serum IgG levels after IA does therefore not result from increased antibody synthesis but is probably related to changes of catabolism and immunoglobulin backflow.
