Modulatory effect of macrolide antibiotics on the Th1- and Th2-type cytokine production.

The effect of the macrolide antibiotics, clarithromycin, midecamycin acetate and josamycin, on the generation of Th1- and Th2-type cytokines by mitogen-stimulated human T lymphocytes was compared with that of fosfomycin. The following results were obtained. These drugs demonstrated potent inhibitory activity on the release and gene expression of TNF-alpha and IL-2. Their inhibitory effect on IFN-alpha, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 was less marked. The release of IL-10 was poorly suppressed. Clarithromycin had the most potent inhibitory effect of the drugs used. The present results suggested that anti-bacterial agents might modify the host's immunological response by interfering with the activity of T helper cells.