Intravenous immunoglobulin enhances the clearance of fibrillar amyloid-β peptide

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), a purified immunoglobulin fraction manufactured from the blood of healthy humans, is an FDA-approved treatment for many immune and inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that IVIg therapy has several positive effects on patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). These include improving cognitive functions and lowering the level of soluble amyloid-beta peptide (A beta P) in the brain. Nonetheless, the mechanism by which IVIg mediates the clearance of A beta P from the AD brain currently remains unknown. In this study we investigated the molecular basis for the direct and indirect effects of IVIg on A beta P clearance using the BV-2 cellular microglia line. Specifically, we show that IVIg dissolves preformed A beta P fibrils in vitro. Moreover, IVIg increases cellular tolerance to A beta P, enhances microglial migration toward A beta P deposits, and mediates phagocytosis of A beta P Thus, several mechanisms can be considered when examining the effects of IVIg. Our work supports the hypothesis that IVIg interferes by more than one mechanism in clearing A beta P from the brains of Alzheimer's patients. (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.