Open AccessImmunosuppressive property of bromocriptine on human B lymphocyte function in vitro
Author(s) -
MORKAWA K.,
OSEKO F.,
MORIKAWA S.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1993.tb07966.x
Subject(s) - immunology , bromocriptine , in vitro , function (biology) , lymphocyte , lymphocyte activation , medicine , biology , immune system , t cell , microbiology and biotechnology , prolactin , endocrinology , hormone , biochemistry
SUMMARY Bromocriptine (BRC), a dopamine ergot alkaloid, inhibits the release of pituitary prolactin (PRL). Hypoprolactinaemia induced in rat by treatment with BRC produces a similar immunosuppressive effect as observed in hypophysectomized rats. The effect of immunosuppression by the administration of BRC has been interpreted as the result of hypoprolactinaemia produced by BRC. However, the direct effect of BRC on lymphocyte function has never been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of BRC on human B cell functions. Highly purified B cells from tonsil samples were isolated by Percoll density gradient from non‐rosctted cells, and were used as target cells. BRC significantly suppressed the proliferative response of resting and activated B cells in vitro . It suppressed immunoglobulin generation of activated B cells. The inhibition of BRC was manifested in the early stage of the proliferation and differentiation of B cells. The conditioned medium from the polyclonal B cell mitogcn‐stimulated B cell cultures did not contain PRL as determined by immunoradiometric assay. Treatment with low‐dose cyclosporin A or FK506 in conjunction with BRC has proved more effective than either drug alone in suppression of B cell proliferation. Thus, the combined therapy of BRC and immunosuppressants may be effective with decreased toxicity for clinical use.