Removal of pathogenic autoantibodies by immunoadsorption

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2005 Jun:1051:635-46. doi: 10.1196/annals.1361.108.

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases result from disrupted tolerance to self-antigens and subsequent damage to tissues and organs. In several diseases, specific autoantibodies have been either proved or suspected to play a role in this process. Consequently, several strategies have been devised in an attempt to discard the destructive immunoglobulins. Currently, both nonselective and epitope-specific methods are applied in several diseases. In this review, we provide a summary of the available data on elimination of pathogenic autoantibodies and discuss the advantages and pitfalls of the different approaches.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Autoantibodies / isolation & purification*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunosorbent Techniques*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / therapy
  • Myasthenia Gravis / therapy

Substances

  • Autoantibodies