Effect of Levamisole on the Human Monocyte IgG Receptor

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Abstract
Levamisole, an isomer of tetrahydro phenylimidazo thiazole, is a synthetic anti-helminthic which may have immunostimulating properties both in vivo and in vitro (1). Its mode of action is incompletely understood. There is evidence in murine systems that levamisole can increase the phagocytosis of heterologous cells by macrophages in vitro (2) and accelerate the clearance of carbon particles (3). Additionally, levamisole may stimulate delayed hypersensitivity in man (4, 5). These observations suggest that the macrophage may be a major site of levamisole's action. Macrophages have specific surface receptors which serve to bind IgG- or C3-coated cells. We theorized that levamisole might mediate its effect in part by acting on these cell surface receptors. In order to assess the effect of levamisole on human macrophage IgG receptor function, we employed a quantitative in vitro model, with human erythrocytes, human IgG anti-erythrocyte (anti-D) antibody, and monolayers of human peripheral blood mononuclear phagocytic cells.

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