Recombinant human IgG1-Fc is superior to natural IVIG at inhibiting immune-mediated demyelination

Objective: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is an established treatment for numerous autoimmune conditions. Although Fc fragments derived from IVIG have shown efficacy in controlling immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in children, the mechanisms of action are unclear and controversial. The aim of this study is to dissect IVIG effector mechanisms using variably glycosylated Fc fragments on demyelination in an ex vivo model of the central nervous system (CNS)-immune interface. Methods: Using organotypic cerebellar slice cultures (OSC) from transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in oligodendrocytes/myelin, we induced extensive immune-mediated demyelination and oligodendrocyte loss with an antibody specific for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and complement. Protective effects of variably glycosylated Fc fragments were assessed by live imaging of GFP expression, confocal microscopy and immunohistochemistry.Results: Variably glycosylated Fc fragments protected OSC from demyelination in a dose-dependent manner where equimolar concentrations of either IVIG or control Fc were ineffective. The protective effects of the variably glycosylated Fc fragments are partly attributed to interference with complement-mediated oligodendroglia damage. Transcriptome analysis ruled out signatures associated with inflammatory or innate immune responses. Interpretation: Taken together our findings show that recombinant biomimetics can be made that are at least one hundred-fold more effective than IVIG in controlling demyelination by anti-MOG antibodies.