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Opsonic activity of myeloma immunoglobulins (MM-Ig)
Abstract:
Patients with MM are at an increased risk for life-threatening bacterial infections, primarily by organisms that require opsonization for interaction with granulocytes. In the present study we used a neutrophil chemiluminescence (CL) assay of opsonization to explore the opsonic activity of MM-Ig for zymosan particles. Particles were treated with serum lacking in Ig to explore the contribution of Ig to zymosan opsonization. This serum was found to have 69 +/- 2.6% (X +/- SEM) of the opsonic activity of normal serum (P less than .001). Normal serum concentrations of normal IgG, MM-IgG, and MM-IgA all lacked opsonic activity for zymosan. However, when particles were treated with Nl-IgG, MM-IgG, or MM-IgA as well as complement, normal opsonic activity was generated. Increasing the concentration of the Ig to stimulate MM serum did not inhibit this opsonic activity. Thus both MM-IgG and MM-IgA can function as normal, nonspecific opsonins.
Insights
Multiple myeloma patients
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) face a heightened risk of severe bacterial infections.
- These infections are often caused by pathogens requiring opsonization for effective phagocytosis by granulocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the opsonic activity of immunoglobulin (Ig) from multiple myeloma (MM) patients for zymosan particles.
- To determine the contribution of Ig to the opsonization process using a neutrophil chemiluminescence (CL) assay.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a neutrophil chemiluminescence (CL) assay to measure opsonization.
- Compared opsonic activity in serum lacking Ig to normal serum.
- Assessed the opsonic capacity of normal IgG, MM-IgG, and MM-IgA in the presence of complement.
Main Results:
- Serum lacking Ig showed significantly reduced opsonic activity (69% of normal serum).
- Normal serum concentrations of IgG and IgA from MM patients lacked intrinsic opsonic activity for zymosan.
- Both MM-IgG and MM-IgA, when combined with complement, restored normal opsonic activity.
- Increased Ig concentration in MM serum did not inhibit this opsonic function.
Conclusions:
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) from multiple myeloma patients can function as effective, non-specific opsonins.
- These findings suggest a potential mechanism for enhancing immune defense against bacterial infections in MM patients.