title: Inhibition of lymphocyte capping and transformation by propranolol and related compounds.
abstract: 1 The effects of propranolol on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced transformation of murine T lymphocytes and capping of anti-IgG on the surface of murine B lymphocytes have been examined. 2 A 50% inhibition of transformation was observed with 10(-5) M propranolol, whereas a higher concentration, of the order of 10(-3) M propranolol was required to inhibit capping by 50%. The (+)-and (-)-isomers of propranolol proved equipotent in these respects, and the relative potencies of selected analogues of propranolol (alprenolol, oxprenolol, metoprolol, practolol, and sotalol) coincided with their potencies as membrane stabilizers; however, lymphocyte transformation was consistently more sensitive than capping. 3 Similar effects were also seen with quinidine, chlorpromazine and lignocaine, and it was concluded that the inhibition of both lymphocyte functions was due to the membrane stabilizing actions of propranolol.
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007152:Immunologic Capping / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol; D002746:Chlorpromazine