title: Suppression of cytokine production of human memory T cells by roxithromycin.
abstract: Recent reports have suggested that erythromycin (EM) might have immunomodulatory activities. Roxithromycin (Rox) is a new macrolide, which has more favorable pharmacokinetic properties than EM. The current studies therefore examined the effects of Rox on the in vitro function of human T cells. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production was induced from highly purified T cells and CD45RA (-) T cell subsets from normal individuals by stimulation with immobilized anti-CD3. Rox at its pharmacologically attainable concentrations suppressed the IFN-gamma production of CD45RA (-) T cells stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3, but not that of unfractionated T cells. EM also preferentially suppressed the IFN-gamma production of CD45RA (-) T cells, but less effectively than Rox. Rox also preferentially suppressed the IL-2 production of immobilized anti-CD3 stimulated CD45RA (-) T cells. These results suggest that Rox may preferentially suppress the IFN-gamma production of memory T cells, but not that of naive T cells. Moreover, the data call for considering Rox as a possible immunomodulator for the treatment of various autoimmune disorders in which the abnormal function of CD45RA (-) T cells is involved, especially Behcet's disease.
authors.affiliation: The Second Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirohata
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015575:Roxithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015575:Roxithromycin; D007371:Interferon-gamma