EFFECTS OF CYCLOSPORINE-A ON EXPRESSION OF IL-2 AND IL-2 RECEPTORS IN NORMAL AND MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

  • 1 December 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 70  (3) , 570-577
Abstract
The effects of the immunosuppressant Cyclosporin A (CsA) on T cell activation in vivo and in vitro were examined using the monoclonal antibody, anti-Tac, for interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptors and 3.9C2, for a peptide fragment of human IL-2. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were stimulated with PHA in the presence of CsA. The expression of IL-2 receptors and production of IL-2 were reduced. PBL from CsA-treated MS patients had significantly lower proportions of Tac+ cells compared with untreated patients. This inhibition was not reflected in the CSF lymphocyte populations from CsA-treated patients and indicates the urgent need for an immunosuppressant drug which can enter the CNS in sufficient concentrations to inhibit local T cell activation.