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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Genetic and Biochemical Approaches for In Vivo and In Vitro Assessment of Protein Oligomerization: The Ryanodine Receptor Case Study
Published on: July 27, 2016
Intravenous immunoglobulin preparation increases myoplasmic calcium concentration by activating the
B G van Engelen1, A A Benders, R A Wevers
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands. b.vanengelen@czzoneu.azn.nl
Abstract:
A human intravenous immunoglobulin preparation (IVIg) released Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cultured human skeletal muscle cells in a dose-dependent manner. Blocking the dihydropyridine-ryanodine receptor complex abrogated the IVIg-mediated Ca2+ response, whereas inhibition of the voltage-operated Na+-channels or acetylcholine receptors did not. This effect of IVIg was not mediated by its main component, the IgG molecules, and differed between preparations from different manufacturers. Heating destroyed the activity. Data shows that an unidentified serum protein present in IVIg can influence human muscle cells by an effect on the dihydropyridine receptor. This phenomenon may be important in interpreting the (side) effects of IVIg in neuromuscular diseases.
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