Multiple immune deviations predictive for IVF failure as possible markers for IVIG therapy

Recently we have shown that immune deviations (ID) may predict IVF failure. Benefit from IVIG therapy was observed in 115 women with repeated IVF failure according to proposed multiple ID that appeared unfavorable for implantation and live birth. Group of 123 women with repeated IVF failure without IVIG therapy was compared with former group. Immune phenotype and NK activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied by flow cytometry. Potentially predictive for IVF failure ID included elevated expression of CD56, CD158a in T lymphocytes, decreased levels of CD4 T lymphocytes, up-regulated expression of HLA DR in CD8+ T cells and NK cells, elevated number of NK cells and increased NK cytotoxicity, increased or decreased expression of CD158a and CD8 in NK cells. Three or more ID may predict implantation failure to a greater degree than one or two ID. In women receiving IVIG in subgroups with 0-1 and 2 ID, there was no increase in implantation rate (IR) and live birth rate (LBR) after IVIG in comparison with patients with the same number of ID but without IVIG correction. After IVIG therapy decreased IR and LBR were restored in women with three or more immune deviations. Multiple immune deviations indicate IVF patients who may benefit from IVIG therapy. IVIG seems to convert “unfavorable” immune phenotype to “favorable” one.