Differential Suppression of Dialysis Patients' Lymhocyte IFN-γ Production by Glucocorticoids and Cyclosporine
Abstract IFN-γ is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the immunologic rejection of transplanted organs. Having previously demonstrated differential suppressive effect of methylprednisolone (MP), prednisolone (P) and cyclosporine (CsA) on dialysis patients' lymphocyte proliferative responses to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), we studied the effects of these drugs on dialysis patients' lymphocyte IFN-γ production during mitogenic and allogeneic (MLR) stimulation. The mean±SEM 50% inhibitory concentration (ng/ml) on cell proliferation was significantly lower for MP than P in PHA-stimulated haemodialysis (HD) patients' (35±7 vs 152±25,P