Gold and modulation of the immune response

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Gold salts are used therapeutically for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and pemphigus.
• These conditions involve dysregulated immune responses, including autoantibody production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the effects of gold compounds on various immune responses.
• To explore the immunomodulatory mechanisms of gold, including its impact on antibody production, complement activation, and cell-mediated immunity.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating gold's effects on immune parameters.
• Analysis of data on changes in immunoglobulin levels, autoantibody titers, and complement activation.
• Examination of gold's influence on cellular immune responses to mitogens and antigens.

Main Results:

• Gold salts can decrease serum immunoglobulin levels and autoantibody titers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and pemphigus.
• Gold inhibits the stimulation of immunoglobulin-secreting cells and the activation of classical and alternate complement pathways.
• Gold compounds suppress cell-mediated immune responses, potentially by affecting macrophage function.

Conclusions:

• Gold exhibits significant immunomodulatory effects, primarily through inhibition of key immune pathways.
• Newer oral gold compounds like auranofin show potent immuno-regulatory actions.
• The precise in vivo extent and therapeutic relevance of gold's immunomodulatory effects require further clarification.