Immunomodulatory effects of BXL-01-0029, a less hypercalcemic vitamin D analogue, in human cardiomyocytes and T cells

Exp Cell Res. 2009 Jan 15;315(2):264-73. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2008.10.025. Epub 2008 Nov 5.

Abstract

Current immunosuppressive protocols have reduced rejection occurrence in heart transplantation; nevertheless, management of heart transplant recipients is accompanied by major adverse effects, due to drug doses close to toxic range. In allograft rejection, characterized by T-helper 1 (Th1) cell-mediated response, the CXCL10-CXCR3 axis plays a pivotal role in triggering a self-promoting inflammatory loop. Indeed, CXCL10 intragraft production, required for initiation and development of graft failure, supports organ infiltration by Th1 cells. Thus, targeting the CXCL10-CXCR3 axis while avoiding generalized immunosuppression, may be of therapeutic significance. Based on preclinical evidence for immunoregulatory properties of vitamin D receptor agonists, we propose that a less hypercalcemic vitamin D analogue, BXL-01-0029, might have the potential to contribute to rejection management. We investigated the effect of BXL-01-0029 on CXCL10 secretion induced by proinflammatory stimuli, both in human isolated cardiomyocytes (Hfcm) and purified CD4+ T cells. Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active agent of mycophenolate mofetil, was used for comparison. BXL-01-0029 inhibited IFNgamma and TNFalpha-induced CXCL10 secretion by Hfcm more potently than MPA, impairing cytokine synergy and pathways. BXL-01-0029 reduced also CXCL10 protein secretion and gene expression by CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, BXL-01-0029 did not exert any toxic effect onto both cell types, suggesting its possible use as a dose-reducing agent for conventional immunosuppressive drugs in clinical transplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokine CXCL10 / genetics
  • Chemokine CXCL10 / metabolism
  • Cholecalciferol / analogs & derivatives
  • Cholecalciferol / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Interferon gamma Receptor
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Ionomycin / pharmacology
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Mycophenolic Acid / pharmacology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / agonists
  • Receptors, Interferon / genetics
  • Receptors, Interferon / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology

Substances

  • Chemokine CXCL10
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • NF-kappa B
  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • Receptors, Interferon
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • STAT1 protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Cholecalciferol
  • Ionomycin
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Mycophenolic Acid
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate