The effect of methimazole on the immune system is unlikely to operate directly on T lymphocytes.
It has been shown that the antithyroid drug methimazole (MMI) may affect B cells and possibly accessory cell function. In the present study we investigated in detail the effects of MMI on T cell in vitro proliferation. The following variables were evaluated: T cell proliferation following stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and anti-CD3 or anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies; interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) production by PHA-stimulated T cells in bulk culture and by T cell clones; PHA-induced IL-2 receptor expression; LPS-induced interleukin-1 production by accessory cells. The results obtained failed to demonstrate any effect of MMI on T cells in vitro proliferation, whatever the activation pathway considered. In addition, IL-2 and gamma-IFN productions were substantially unaffected by the drug, as well as IL-1 production by accessory cells. However, a slight reduction of PHA-induced IL-2 receptor expression was observed. Although the hypothesis of an effect of MMI on some specialized T cell functions cannot be ruled out, it is likely that the supposed "immunosuppressive" effect of the drug does not concern primarily the T lymphocyte.
Bagnasco
M
M
Istituto Scientifico di Medicina Interna, Università di Genova, Italy.
Venuti
D
D
Ciprandi
G
G
Pesce
G
G
Paolieri
F
F
Canonica
G W
GW
D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008713:Methimazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D008713:Methimazole; D007371:Interferon-gamma