Modulation of Th2 type cytokine production from human peripheral blood leukocytes by a macrolide antibiotic, roxithromycin, in vitro.

The influence of a macrolide antibiotic, roxithromycin (RXM), on Th1 and Th2 cytokine productions from human peripheral blood T cells was examined under stimulation with co-stimulatory molecules. Peripheral blood T cells prepared from both healthy and allergic rhinitis donors were cultured in the presence of RXM on anti-CD3 mAb and anti-CD26 mAb-coated wells, anti-CD3 mAb and anti-CD28 mAb-coated wells, and anti-CD3 and PMA. T-cell proliferation, along with the concentration of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-4 and IL-5 were measured. RXM did not affect T-cell proliferation induced by several ways of co-stimulatory activation as assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA. RXM also had no effect on IL-2 and IFN-gamma secretion by T cells prepared from both healthy and allergic rhinitis donors. On the other hand, RXM markedly inhibited both IL-4 and IL-5 secretions under each of the co-stimulatory conditions in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that RXM inhibits specifically Th2 cytokine secretion from T cells induced by co-stimulatory molecule stimulations. This inhibitory action of RXM may be partially responsible for attenuating effect of the agent on the inflammatory diseases.