PMID: 7021114Apr 1, 1981Paper

Immunosuppression with cyclosporin A: a review

Diagnostic Histopathology
C J Green

Abstract

The cyclic peptide cyclosporin A (CS-A) is a fungal metabolite which has only a narrow spectrum of antibiotic activity but profound effects on immune responses, including inhibition of cell-mediated cytolysis, graft-versus-host and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. It has a high affinity for membrane lipids and probably interferes with an early event in RNA and DNA synthesis. The compound has a remarkably specific affinity for lymphocytes which in most species of animal appears to be more marked for T-cells but in man may be equal in T- and B-cells. Other cell types including myeloid cells are spared its effects. Most evidence suggests that CS-A interferes with an early event during transformation from the resting to the blast cell state, probably the actual acquisition of responsiveness to growth factors; it does not affect already converted lymphoblasts; it lacks anti-mitotic activity and cytotoxic effects on lymphocytes, granulocytes or monocytes; it allows recovery of proliferative capacity once removed from the system; and it has no acute anti-inflammatory activity. Whether CS-A specifically inhibits T-helper cells relative to T-suppressor cell populations has not yet been determined but this seems likely, and most ...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Allogenic & Autologous Therapies

Allogenic therapies are generated in large batches from unrelated donor tissues such as bone marrow. In contrast, autologous therapies are manufactures as a single lot from the patient being treated. Here is the latest research on allogenic and autologous therapies.