Abstract
Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressant affecting many components of cellular and humoral immunity. Its main action probably results from inhibition of T-lymphocyte activation and interference with secretion of cytokines like IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α. Correspondingly, CsA has beneficial effects on the course of several autoimmune diseases thought to be mediated by T-lymphocytes, including a mild effect on multiple sclerosis. We exposed CD4 + cytotoxic T-lymphocytes specific for myelin basic protein, a putative target autoantigen in MS, to CsA in vitro, and determined the drug's effects on proliferation, expression of high affinity IL-2R, secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α as well as on the secretion of the chemokines MIP-1α and MIP- 1β. In all instances, we observed a partial to complete inhibition. In contrast, the response of activated cells to IL-2 was resistant to CsA. Our observations are in line with results obtained in different experimental systems. The discrepancy between the profound inhibition of T-cells and the modest therapeutic effects on MS is discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 91-99 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Neuroimmunology |
Volume | 76 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cyclosporin A
- In vitro
- Multiple sclerosis
- T-lymphocytes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Clinical Neurology
- Immunology and Allergy
- Neurology