title: Suramin exerts in vivo cytokine modulatory properties on splenocytes from experimental allergic encephalomyelitis-induced SJL mice: implications for autoimmune disease therapy.
abstract: The present study sought to examine the immunopharmacologic effects of suramin on splenocytes from experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE)-induced mice, taken in line with a previous observed action of suramin in ameliorating EAE. Suramin, a polysulfonated napthylurea, decreased the proliferation of T cells, in the presence of various stimuli, such as guinea pig myelin basic protein (MBP), mouse spinal cord homogenate (MSCH), bovine proteolipid protein (PLP), P1 (synthetic peptide 139-151 of PLP), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Suramin inhibited T cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. However, cytokine assays revealed that suramin increased antigen-induced levels of IL-4, whilst IFN-gamma levels were decreased. Using various doses of suramin (25, 15, and 5 micrograms/g), its cytokine modulatory effect displayed a consistent dose-dependent activity in vivo. This cytokine modulation commenced on week 2 after immunization and persisted all throughout the drug administration period, up to the 4th week. These results indicate that the prospects of using suramin in the treatment of multiple sclerosis may be feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA. novalesl@hsc.usc.edu
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Novales-Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013498:Suramin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D015847:Interleukin-4; D013498:Suramin; D007371:Interferon-gamma