title: The stimulation of IL-2 production by anti-rheumatic drugs.
abstract: IL-2 release from mouse splenocytes was measured by assaying the IL-2 on an IL-2-dependent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte line in culture (CTLL). Proliferation of the CTLL cells was monitored indirectly with the dye thiazolyl blue. The slow-acting anti-rheumatic drug auranofin at concentrations below 0.1 microM potentiated concanavalin A (Con A)-induced IL-2 release. Similar potentiation of Con A-induced IL-2 release was obtained with D-penicillamine, 1 microM-1 mM, and with the angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor captopril, 10 nM-1 microM. Potentiation of Con A-induced IL-2 release was obtained with concentrations of the drugs likely to be achieved in vivo during therapy. Auranofin but not D-penicillamine and captopril inhibited Con A-induced IL-2 release at high concentrations (greater than 0.3 microM).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University College London, U.K.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Oben
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Chain
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Foreman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001310:Auranofin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002216:Captopril / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D001310:Auranofin; D002216:Captopril; D010396:Penicillamine