Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
Published on: September 12, 2016
Natalizumab treatment decreases serum IgM and IgG levels in multiple sclerosis patients
Rebecca C Selter1, Viola Biberacher, Verena Grummel
1Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Germany.
Background:
Treatment with natalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against alpha4beta1 integrin, is associated with an increase in lymphoid progenitor cells and B cells in peripheral blood.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to examine the impact of natalizumab therapy on serum levels of total IgG, IgA and IgM in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods:
In two independent cross-sectional patient cohorts, serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were compared between patients treated with natalizumab and those not receiving natalizumab. Further, serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM before and during natalizumab treatment were compared in two longitudinal patient cohorts.
Results:
In patients treated with natalizumab, serum IgM and IgG levels were significantly lower compared with therapy naïve patients (p<0.0001). IgM levels significantly decreased after initiation of natalizumab treatment in both longitudinal patient cohorts (p<0.01). Moreover, patients treated with natalizumab showed a time-dependent decrease in IgM levels during the first 2 years of treatment.
Conclusion:
Natalizumab treatment leads to a significant decrease in serum IgM and IgG levels in patients with MS. IgM levels decrease with treatment duration during the first 2 years of treatment. These findings might support the hypothesis that natalizumab interferes with homing of B cells, possibly leading to impaired differentiation into plasma cells and subsequently disturbed immunoglobulin synthesis.
Related Concept Videos
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
