title: The inhibitory effect of the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine on lymphocyte activation involves the IL-2 pathway and the increase in suppressor cell function.
abstract: The inhibition of lymphocyte DNA synthesis by the cholinergic muscarinic agonist pilocarpine (5 x 10(-4) M) was not reversed by addition of exogenous recombinant Interleukin-2 (100-1000 IU/ml). Pilocarpine did not inhibit Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells but decreased the number of interleukin-2 receptor bearing cells (TAC positive cells). Furthermore, pilocarpine increased the CD8:CD4 T lymphocyte ratio enhancing the suppressor cell function. All these effects were blocked by the muscarinic antagonist atropine (1 x 10(-6) M). As described for the specific lymphocyte nicotinic stimulation, the pure cholinergic muscarinic stimulation inhibits lymphocyte proliferation by enhancing suppressor activity.
authors.affiliation: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET), Republica Argentina.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Prync
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arzt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fernandez Castelo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Finkielman
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nahmod
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D010862:Pilocarpine; D004247:DNA