title: Cyclosporine A inhibits transcription of cytokine genes and decreases the frequencies of IL-2 producing cells in feline mononuclear cells.
abstract: Cyclosporine A (CsA) has been widely used for suppression of transplant rejection and controlling pruritus in allergic dermatitis in humans, dogs and cats. CsA is known to suppress the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-2, IL-4, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in humans, dogs and experimental mice. However, little is known about the immunomodulating effect of CsA in cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CsA on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Real-time PCR analyses with Concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated PBMC obtained from 5 cats revealed that the expression of mRNAs for IL-2, IL-4, IFN- gamma and TNF-alpha was inhibited by CsA in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay, which is capable of detecting IL-2 secreting cells as single spots, revealed that the frequency of IL-2 secreting cells in ConA-stimulated feline PBMC was significantly reduced in the presence of CsA. These results might provide an explanation for the mechanisms of action of CsA in the suppression of transplant rejection and the control of pruritus in cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazufumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuga
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishifuji
authors.forename: Toshiroh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016572:Cyclosporine