Suppressive effect of roxithromycin on the induction of IL-2 responsiveness by DF-stimulated lymphocytes from patients with bronchial asthma]

Roxithromycin (RXM) is a new macrolide antibiotics, with anti-allergic properties, the mechanisms of which action has not been well understood. The effect of RXM-treatment on the induction of interleukin 2 (IL-2) responsiveness by Dermatophagoides farinase (Df)-stimulated lymphocytes was studied in patients with bronchial asthma. RXM alone has almost no effect on lymphocyte activation. Patient's lymphocytes treated with 10 to 400 micrograms/ml doses of RXMs failed to generate Df-induced IL-2 responsiveness in a dose-dependent manner. The target cells for suppressive effect of RXM were antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells rather than responder T cells. PPD-induced IL-2 responsiveness was also suppressed by the treatment, but the Con A-induced response was not. The results suggest that RXM is a slight immunosuppressant to block the induction of IL-2 responsiveness by Df-stimulated patient's lymphocytes, resulting in the interruption of a cytokine cascade of allergic responses.