Spleen lymphocyte populations and expression of activation markers in rats treated with the potent new immunosuppressive agent FK-506.

摘要: Rats were immunized systemically with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and treated either FK-506 (1 mg/kg/day) or cyclosporin A (CsA) (25 for 7 days. Profound (greater than 90%) suppression of the production splenic IgM-secreting plasma circulating antibody levels was observed in animals receiving drug. Immunosuppression accompanied by significant increases incidence absolute numbers OX8+ (T-cytotoxic/suppressor) lymphocytes spleen, there corresponding reductions W3/25+:OX8 (CD4+:CD8+) ratio. The magnitude these changes not affected drug combination. There no alterations B agent, whilst a small but increase macrophages all drug-treated groups. Neither nor CsA IL-2 receptor (OX39) MHC class II (OX6) antigen expression. This study demonstrates remarkable immunosuppressive potency its underlying capacity, like CsA, to affect regulatory T-lymphocyte subsets vivo.