title: Effect of d-fenfluramine on the local immune response to the opportunistic microbial pathogen Candida albicans.
abstract: In this study the effects of systemic administration of d-fenfluramine on the local lymphocyte response to Candida albicans was evaluated. Experimental animals were challenged intradermally with Candida albicans and then administered d-fenfluramine (d-FEN 1 mg/kg per day, i.p.) or a balanced salts solution. At successive time intervals, lymphocytes were derived from the draining lymph nodes and from the dermal sites of active microbial challenge. A CD8+ lymphocytosis was observed in all animals challenged with Candida albicans. The CD8+ lymphocytosis was augmented in animals that received d-FEN. Phenotypically, lymph nodes from d-FEN treated animals showed a marked increase in CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, a modest increase in the numbers of NK1.1+ cells and a decrease in Ig+ lymphocytes. Functionally, lymphocytes from the site of active microbial challenge were capable of direct growth inhibition of Candida albicans. The anti-fungal activity was augmented in the animals that received d-FEN. These results suggest that d-FEN augments the local T lymphocyte response to an important microbial pathogen by increasing the number of T lymphocytes draining the site of microbial infection and by increasing the biological activity of the lymphocytes at the site of the infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University of Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lorens
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clancy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D005277:Fenfluramine