title: In vitro inhibition of natural killer cell activity by doxycycline.
abstract: The effect of four tetracyclines, tetracycline, rolitetracycline, oxytetracycline and doxycycline, on human natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity was examined in vitro. Doxycycline was the only tetracycline which inhibited the NK cell activity. At concentrations of 10 micrograms/ml the drug caused approximately 50% inhibition of NK cell mediated cytotoxicity against K562 target. The inhibition was not a result of a toxic effect of the drug on NK cells. These results support the previous findings that doxycycline shows immunosuppressive properties.
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013754:Tetracyclines / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013754:Tetracyclines; D004318:Doxycycline