One of the most common questions faced by patients and referring doctors is—how does lymphocyte immunization therapy work, and why is it effective? Dr. Mukhtarov, a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist with a deep interest in reproductive immunology, addresses this question in detail. Along with her husband, Dr. Mohan Raut, she runs Dr. Raut’s Centre Of Reproductive Immunology in Santacruz, Mumbai. The centre focuses on helping couples struggling with infertility treatment, IVF failure, and unexplained infertility through ImmuLIT® and other passive immunomodulatory treatments.
Asha’s Story: A Turning Point
Dr. Mukhtarov shares the story of Asha, a patient from Delhi who had gone through five unsuccessful IVF cycles. When her fertility specialist didn’t offer a new approach for the sixth cycle, she sought a second opinion. At her new centre, she was advised to undergo ImmuLIT® before starting IVF. Curious, Asha asked: “Why lymphocyte immunization therapy? How will it work for me?” This is where understanding the immune system’s role in reproduction becomes essential.
The Role Of Immune Tolerance In Pregnancy
Normally, the immune system protects the body against foreign invaders. However, it also has a crucial component called immunological tolerance, which prevents the body from attacking its own tissues—or in the case of pregnancy, the fetus.
Whether the immune system rejects or tolerates an antigen depends on how it is presented to the body. Dendritic cells, present in tissues like the skin and the uterine lining, decide this by carrying antigens to lymphoid organs and presenting them to T cells. If presented to conventional T cells, the result is immune rejection. If shown to regulatory T cells, the immune system builds tolerance.
Normal Pregnancy vs. Immunological Challenges
In a healthy pregnancy, the body develops asymmetric antibodies (also called blocking antibodies) and sufficient regulatory T cells. These components ensure the pregnancy is not rejected by the immune system. These asymmetric antibodies bind weakly to antigens, preventing full immune activation and attack.
Studies show that in women with recurrent miscarriages, repeated IVF failures, and unexplained infertility, these antibodies and T regulatory cells are often absent or low. Hence, treatments that encourage their production—like ImmuLIT®—can prove effective.
What Is ImmuLIT® And How Does It Work?
ImmuLIT® (Lymphocyte Immunization Therapy) involves injecting fresh allogenic lymphocytes from a donor (not the patient) into the patient’s skin. These lymphocytes carry CD200 markers, which help dendritic cells present the antigens in a friendly manner, triggering immune tolerance instead of rejection.
Importantly, these injections must be given intradermally—into the skin—where dendritic cells are abundant. If administered intramuscularly or intravenously, the therapy won’t be effective.
Scientific studies confirm that ImmuLIT® helps in:
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Increasing asymmetric antibodies
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Enhancing regulatory T cell response
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Reducing NK cell cytotoxicity
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Balancing the Th1/Th2 immune cell ratio
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Decreasing levels of cytotoxic CD3– and CD56 cells
Why Is ImmuLIT® Needed?
In cases of female infertility treatment, especially after multiple IVF failures or repeated pregnancy loss, the immune system might be the hidden cause. ImmuLIT®, when done correctly, helps restore immune balance, enabling successful implantation and continuation of pregnancy.
Asha’s Result
After understanding the science and process, Asha visited Dr. Raut’s Centre Of Reproductive Immunology in Mumbai. She underwent a single ImmuLIT® session and returned to Delhi the same day. In her very next IVF cycle, she conceived successfully—and is now a mother to healthy twin girls.
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
Dr. Mohan Raut, co-founder of the centre, clarifies that they administer ImmuLIT® only once—unlike many other centres that recommend it every 15 days. Their unique, patented protocol has consistently shown remarkable success without repeated sessions.
