title: Regulation of lymphocyte growth by antagonists of interleukin-2 or its cellular receptor.
abstract: The dependence of T cell proliferation on the production, binding and utilization of the lymphokine growth factor IL-2 has fostered the development and testing of new classes of drugs which act to either inhibit IL-2 production or the interaction of IL-2 with its cellular receptor. We have reviewed evidence which documents the potent immunosuppressive effects of inhibitors of IL-2 synthesis and secretion, such as Ciclosporin A, and of anti-IL-2 receptor MAb. The similarities of the potency and specificity of these agents and their effectiveness in a wide range of clinical settings encourage further studies on their mechanism of action. Perhaps the most dramatic similarity is the induction of long-term nonresponsiveness after drug removal to antigens present at the time of drug therapy. This observation has profound importance both on clinical manipulation with these agents and n the origins and maintenance of self-tolerance.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003524:Cyclosporins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2