Inhibition of cytokine production from human peripheral blood leukocytes by anti-allergic agents in vitro

Abstract

The influence of anti-allergic drugs on lymphocyte function was investigated by examining the blastic activity and cytokine production of human peripheral blood leukocytes in response to concanavalin A stimulation in vitro. Addition of ketotifen, disodium cromoglycate and oxatomide did not influence peripheral blood leukocyte blastic activity even when high concentrations (10.0 micrograms/ml) of these drugs were added to cell cultures. However, azelastine and terfenadine caused inhibition of peripheral blood leukocyte activation. Interleukin-2, interleukin-3, interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 production from peripheral blood leukocytes was strongly suppressed when the cells were cultured in the presence of these agents. This suppression was observed even when lower concentrations (1.0 and 0.5 micrograms/ml) of these agents were added to the cultures.