IVIg Attenuates TLR-9 Activation in B Cells from SLE Patients

Introduction Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR-9) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) on CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN-CpG) activated B cells from SLE patients. Methods Peripheral blood B cells were isolated from 16 SLE patients and 21 healthy age-matched controls. B cells were cultured with ODN-CpG 1μM alone or IVIg (10mg/ml) together with ODN-CpG. After 24-h incubation, B cells and supernatants were collected and analyzed for interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6 secretion, and TLR-9 expression. Results IVIg decreased the secretion of IL-10 from ODN-CpG-activated B cells isolated from both SLE patients and healthy controls (194 ± 46.2 to 103.2 ± 27.13 pg/ml, p