Inhibition of delayed hypersensitivity reactions by colchicine. II. Colchicine inhibits interferon-gamma induced expression of HLA-DR on gut epithelial cell line.

The effects of colchicine and vinblastine on interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induced expression of HLA-DR antigens on the HT-29 colonic carcinoma cell line was investigated in vitro. Both drugs prevented the expression of HLA-DR only if applied before or together with IFN-gamma. Methotrexate, an antimitotic drug, failed to inhibit DR expression by these cells. Colchicine and vinblastine, but not methotrexate, act on the cellular microtubules, interfering with the transport of proteins from the protoplasm to the cell surface and thus preventing the appearance of HLA-DR antigens. The reported findings may explain the role of colchicine in preventing delayed hypersensitivity reactions.