EFFECTS OF NEW ANTI-LYMPHOCYTIC PEPTIDE CYCLOSPORIN-A IN ANIMALS

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 32  (6) , 1017-1025
Abstract
The fungus metabolite cyclosporin A is a small cyclic peptide acting as a novel antilymphocytic agent. It is effective following parenteral or oral administration in mice, rats and guinea-pigs. The suppressive effect after short and prolonged treatment of plaque-forming cells, the inhibition of the secondary humoral response and the reversibility of its effect on hemagglutinin formation is demonstrated. Cyclosporin A inhibits delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction to oxazolone (primary and secondary responses) in mice and to tuberculin in guinea-pigs. Its failure to suppress antibody synthesis to [Escherichia coli] lipopolysaccharide antigens in nude mice suggests a selective effect on T [thymus-derived] cells. High doses of the compound affect the hemopoietic tissues very weakly as shown by the bone marrow and stem cell numbers in mice. This is in marked contrast with most other immunosuppressive and cytostatic drugs.