title: The effect of various disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on the suppressive function of CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells.
abstract: Accumulating evidence suggests that defects in the function of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important in immune-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we investigated the effects of various disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on Treg function. Tregs and CD4(+)CD25(-) effector T cells (Teffs) were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from healthy adults. Isolated Tregs were cultured with the DMARDs methotrexate (MTX), sulfasalazine (SSZ), leflunomide (LEF), or infliximab (INF). We found that each DMARD had a different effect on Treg function. SSZ and LEF inhibited the anti-proliferative function of Tregs on cocultured Teffs and reduced Treg expression of Foxp3 mRNA, whereas MTX and INF did not.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan 682-714, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Seon
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Yong-Gil
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung Geun
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Min Wook
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Seung Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chang-Keun
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000494:pharmacology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D007555:Isoxazoles; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D000069285:Infliximab; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008727:Methotrexate