Interleukin-10, immunoglobulin suppression

Azathioprine acts through its major metabolite, 6-thioguanine. 6-Thioguanine suppresses inosinic acid synthesis, -cell and T-cell function, immunoglobulin production, and interleukin-2 secretion (see Chapter 55). 

TWG inhibited Concanavalin A-induced proliferation of mouse spleen cells and thymocytes in a dose-related manner. The expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors by Concanavalin A-activated spleen cells was completely inhibited by adding TWG, but IL-2 production was not completely suppressed [9], T2 at 0.1-1 pg/ml inhibited antigen- and mitogen-stimulated proliferation of T cells and B cells, IL-2 production by T cells, and immunoglobulin production by B cells. T2 did not affect IL-2 receptor expression by T cells, 1L-1 production by monocytes, or the capacity of monocytes to present antigen. Inhibition could not be accounted for by nonspecific toxicity. These results supported the conclusion that T2 exerts a powerful suppressive effect on human immune responses, and this action might account for its therapeutic effectiveness in RA [10],... 

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