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Erschienen in:
01.02.2010 | Editorial
Is IgG galactosylation the relevant factor for pregnancy-induced remission of rheumatoid arthritis?
Erschienen in: Arthritis Research & Therapy | Ausgabe 1/2010
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During pregnancy, most patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience spontaneous improvement of their disease activity. Among the soluble candidates that have been investigated in search for the most relevant disease-remitting factor are the galactosylation levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG). In RA, a higher percentage of IgG lacking the terminal galactose residues, thought to play a pro-inflammatory role, is found. During pregnancy, however, IgG galactosylation levels increase and correlate with improved disease activity. The question remains whether the increase in IgG galactosylation during pregnancy is a mere epiphenomenon or a true remission-inducing factor.