title: Cutting edge: sanglifehrin A, a novel cyclophilin-binding immunosuppressant blocks bioactive IL-12 production by human dendritic cells.
abstract: Sanglifehrin A (SFA) is a novel cyclophilin-binding immunosuppressant with an unknown mechanism of action. IL-12p70 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of inflammation and autoimmune diseases. We discovered that SFA abrogates bioactive IL-12p70 production by human dendritic cells, the major producers of this cytokine. In direct comparison to the related calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporin A and the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor rapamycin, SFA acts uniquely within 1 h to inhibit (80-95%) IL-12p70 production by differentiated dendritic cells. Experiments with Toll-like receptor 3 and 4 ligands show a stimulus-independent suppression. Competitive experiments with a molar excess of cyclosporin A indicate a cyclophilin A-independent blockade of IL-12p70 production. We confirm potent inhibition of IL-12p70 production by SFA using purified human blood DC. Real-time RT-PCR reveals 84-94% suppression of IL-12p40, IL-12p35, and IL-23-specific p19 transcription. These novel insights into the immunosuppressive action of SFA are likely to impact on the clinical use of this agent.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Steinschulte
authors.forename: Timucin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taner
authors.forename: Angus W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bein
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hackstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D021983:Cyclophilins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007783:Lactones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D011487:Protein Conformation / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013141:Spiro Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007783:Lactones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013141:Spiro Compounds; C121329:sanglifehrin A; D021983:Cyclophilins