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Inhibitory effect of cyclosporin A on antigen and alloantigen presenting capacity of human epidermal Langerhans cells
Author(s) -
TEUNISSEN M.B.M.,
JAGER M.H.,
KAPSENBERG M.L.,
BOS J. D.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1991.tb14163.x
Subject(s) - antigen , langerhans cell , immunology , cyclosporins , medicine , transplantation
Summary The effect of cyclosporin A (CyA) on the capacity of human epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) to stimulate allogeneic T cells or to present antigen to autologous T cells was investigated. Preparations of LC enriched by discontinuous density gradient centrifugation were pulsed for 2 or 16 h with graded doses (5–5000 ng/ml) of CyA prior to co‐culture with T cells. Pretreatment of LC with CyA resulted in a dose‐dependent decrease of the functional capacity of LC to stimulate T cells. This inhibition (up to 90%). already achieved after a pulse of 2 h, was not due to a cytotoxie effect of the drug and appeared to be reversible. The possibility that CyA exerted its effect indirectly on T cells via release of CyA from LC into the supernatant during co‐culture was excluded. The suppression of immunostimulatory function was a direct effect of the drug on LC. CyA did not affect the production by LC of IL‐1 or prostaglandin nor the expression of MHC class II products HLA‐D and RFDl or adhesion molecules ICAM‐1 and LFA‐3. These results suggest that inhibition of contact allergic skin reactions by CyA may be due in part to an impairment of the function of LC.