Inhibition of lymphocyte proliferative responses by ribavirin.
When added to cultures of human peripheral blood lymphocytes, ribavirin (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide) inhibited antigen- and mitogen-induced proliferative responses as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Dose-dependent suppressive effects were obtained when concentrations of 5 to 60 microgram of ribavirin per ml were added at culture initiation or up to 96 h thereafter. Ribavirin inhibited [3H]uridine and [3H]leucine incorporation by concanavalin A-activated and normal lymphocytes although not as severely as deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis. The capacity of ribavirin to interfere with lymphoproliferative responses was entirely reversed by guanosine and, to a lesser extent, by adenosine and xanthosine. These studies demonstrate that ribavirin is a reversible inhibitor of lymphocyte nucleic acid synthesis and suggest that the drug may be immunosuppressive when administered in vivo.
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012263:Ribonucleosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014529:Uridine / Q000378:metabolism
D012263:Ribonucleosides; D003208:Concanavalin A; D012254:Ribavirin; D004247:DNA; D007930:Leucine; D014529:Uridine