Immunoglobulin G: A Potential Treatment to Attenuate Neuroinflammation Following Spinal Cord Injury

J Clin Immunol, 2010 · DOI: 10.1007/s10875-010-9404-7 · Published: May 1, 2010

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) involves a primary injury from mechanical trauma and a secondary injury, a cascade of cellular and molecular events that worsen the initial damage. Neuroinflammation, part of the secondary injury, helps clear cellular debris after SCI, but the immune cells involved can also worsen the damage. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is being explored as a potential treatment because it can modulate the activity of immune cells and has been used to treat autoimmune diseases.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
IgG can modulate the immune response by inducing apoptosis in leukocytes, neutralizing components of the complement system, and inhibiting the activation of leukocytes.
2
IgG has been shown to reduce neurological deficit associated with CNS injury such as traumatic brain injury and stroke.
3
Preliminary findings suggest that IgG treatment reduces secondary damage and improves hind-limb function following SCI in rats.

Research Summary

Spinal cord injury (SCI) involves a primary mechanical trauma followed by a secondary injury cascade, including neuroinflammation, that exacerbates the initial damage. Neuroinflammation, while important for clearing debris, can be detrimental due to the release of damaging substances by leukocytes and microglia. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is a potential treatment for SCI because it can modulate immune responses, potentially reducing the detrimental effects of inflammation and improving functional recovery.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

IgG could be a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce the neurological deficit associated with SCI by attenuating the detrimental effects of the inflammatory response.

Further Research Needed

Extensive characterization of the neuroprotective property of IgG at the molecular, cellular, and behavioral level is required before moving IgG into clinical testing for SCI.

Clinical Translation

Evidence provides a strong rationale to investigate the potential neuroprotective properties of IgG in greater detail and to fully elucidate the underlying mechanism for SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The exact immunomodulating mechanisms of IgG are not fully understood and may involve a combination of multiple mechanisms.
2
Only one study presenting preliminary data on the use of IgG for SCI has been reported.
3
Extensive characterization of the potential neuroprotective property of IgG at the molecular, cellular, and behavioral level is required before moving IgG into clinical testing for SCI.

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