title: Inhibition of lymphocyte activation and function by the prenylation inhibitor L-778,123.
abstract: Prenylated Ras GTPases transduce signals from the T cell receptor, CD28 costimulatory receptor and IL-2 receptor. Since signals from these receptors mediate T cell activation, proliferation and survival, we hypothesized that the prenylation inhibitor L-778,123 would impart immunomodulation. The effect of L-778,123 on T cell activation (CD71 or CD25 surface expression) was determined by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation in the presence of L-778,123 and/or cyclosporine (CsA) was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation. The ability of L-778,123 to inhibit IL-2 receptor signaling was investigated by measuring IL-2 induced proliferation in CTLL-2 cells and IL-2 prevention of apoptosis in activated human PBMC. L-778,123 inhibited lectin induced expression of CD71 and CD25 with IC50's of 6.48 +/- 1.31 microM and 84.1 +/- 50.0 microM, respectively. PBMC proliferation was inhibited by L-778,123 with an IC50 of 0.92 +/- 0.23 microM, and addition of CsA did not increase the potency. L-778,123 did not inhibit IL-2 and IFN-gamma production by T cells. L-778,123 abrogated IL-2 induced proliferation of CTLL-2 cells with an IC50 of 0.81 +/- 0.44 microM. However, L-778,123 minimally reversed the prosurvival effect of IL-2 in activated lymphocytes. IL-2 ligand and receptor production during T cell activation are relatively unaffected by L-778,123. However, the activation and proliferative effects of IL-2 on T cells are potently blocked by L-778,123. These results reveal a selective blockade of the IL-2 cytokine axis distal to the IL-2 receptor by the L-778,123 and warrant evaluation of prenylation inhibitors in treating transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Transplantation Immunology Laboratory, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Falk Cardiovasular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 95305-5407, USA.
authors.forename: Ming-Sing
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Si
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Reitz
authors.forename: Dominic C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Borie
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004122:Dimethylallyltranstransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008024:Ligands; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D017368:Protein Prenylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007093:Imidazoles; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008024:Ligands; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; C425231:L 778,123; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016572:Cyclosporine; D004122:Dimethylallyltranstransferase