Antimalarial drugs modulate the expression of monocyte receptors.
The cytoadherence of four Plasmodium falciparum malaria isolates (FCR-3, RSA-14, 15 and 17) to monocytes was used as a measure of the expression of monocyte receptors after the monocytes had been exposed to seven antimalarial drugs. Quinine, chloroquine, primaquine, pyrimethamine, artemesinin, mefloquine and proguanil all down-regulated the expression of monocyte receptors by 40% or greater at the therapeutic concentrations of each drug. Each malaria isolate had a unique adherence profile for drug induced changes in monocytes. Each drug appeared to alter the expression of more than one monocyte receptor. The most effective drugs were quinine, pyrimethamine and palludrin and the least effective were artemether and mefloquine. The results suggest a previously undetected immunomodulatory action of antimalarial drugs.
Goldring
J P
JP
Department of Biochemistry, School of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg), Scottsville, South Africa. goldringd@biochem.unp.ac.za
Nemaorani
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D019311:Staurosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D000962:Antimalarials; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D019311:Staurosporine