title: Mycophenolate mofetil inhibits differentiation, maturation and allostimulatory function of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.
abstract: We have studied the effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a new drug used in prevention of transplant rejection, on differentiation, maturation and allostimulatory activity of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC). MDDC were generated in vitro with granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-4 in the presence or absence of MMF. MMF reduced the number of immature MDDC in culture, dose-dependently, by inducing apoptosis and inhibited their stimulatory activity on allogeneic lymphocytes. These changes correlated with down-regulation of co-stimulatory and adhesion molecules such as CD40, CD54, CD80 and CD86. No differences were observed in mannose receptor (MR)-mediated endocytosis, measured by the uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran. MDDC differentiated in the presence of MMF showed significantly reduced maturation upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, as judged by lower expresson of CD83 and co-stimulatory molecules, lower production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-18 as well as lower stimulation of alloreactive T cells including naive CD4+ CD45RA+ T cells. In contrast, MDDC matured in the presence of MMF showed a more marked decrease in the FITC-dextran uptake than mature MDDC cultivated without MMF and the phenomenon correlated with down-regulation of the MR expression. These results suggest that MMF impairs differentiation, maturation and function of human MDDC in vitro, which is an additional mechanism of its immunosuppressive effect.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Research, MMA, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro. vmaimi@EUnet.yu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colic
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Stojic-Vukanic
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pavlovic
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jandric
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stefanoska
mesh_terms: D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000090323:Mannose Receptor; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000378:metabolism; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D000090323:Mannose Receptor; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D015847:Interleukin-4; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid