title: Immunomodulatory activity of Wy-18,251 (3-(p-chlorophenyl)thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazole-2-acetic acid).
abstract: The in vitro and in vivo effects of the experimental immunomodulatory agent Wy-18,251 (3-(p-chlorophenyl)thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazole-2-acetic acid) were studied in comparison with levamisole and indomethacin. Levamisole (4 mg/kg, i.v.) but not Wy-18,251 (less than or equal to 10 mg/kg, i.v.) enhanced carbon clearance rates in vivo in mice. Both Wy-18,251 and levamisole (100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly suppressed the symptoms of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rats injected with spinal cord emulsion, but neither were as effective as tilorone in this model. Wy-18,251 and levamisole (1-100 mg/kg, p.o.) suppressed the in vivo generation of plaque-forming cells (PFC) in mice immunized with sheep red blood cells while indomethacin (9 mg/kg, p.o.) enhanced PFC formation. All 3 agents (10(-5) - 10(-6) M) enhanced the in vitro ovalbumin (OA)-specific and Con A- or PHA-induced proliferative response and Con A-stimulated interleukin 2 (IL-2) synthesis of rat spleen cells. Furthermore, in vivo treatment of rats with 1-10 mg/kg (p.o.) of Wy-18,251 and levamisole but not indomethacin increased the subsequent in vitro mitogen or antigen (OA) responsiveness of spleen cells. None of the drugs (10(-5) - 10(-7) M) influenced the natural killer cell (NK) activity of rat spleen cells when incorporated directly into the 51Cr release NK assay.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects; D007978:Levamisole / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
chemical_list: D001562:Benzimidazoles; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007978:Levamisole; C029171:tilomisole; D007213:Indomethacin