Polyclonal immunoglobulins for intravenous use do not influence the behaviour of cultured oligodendrocytes

Treatment studies in multiple sclerosis and the experimental murine model o f Theiler's virus encephalomyelitis have suggested that intravenous immunog lobulins (IVIg) promote central nervous system remyelination. It is not cle ar if this results from a direct effect on myelinating oligodendroglial cel ls, or from suppression of the immune response permitting better endogenous repair. We systematically explored the effects of IVIg on various aspects of oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) behaviour in vitro. Neither prolife ration, differentiation nor migration of OPC was affected by IVIg. These re sults argue against a direct effect of IVIg on remyelination and are in fav our of an indirect yet not clearly defined mechanism that supports remyelin ation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.