The Effects Of Cyclosporin A On The Antigen Presenting Function Of Mice Immature Dendritic Cells And Allograft Tolerance

Objectives To investigate the effects of Cyclosporin A(CsA) on the antigen presenting function of mice immature dendritic cells(DC) and allograft tolerance. Methods In vitro, purified mice immature dendritic cells(DC), co-cultured with CsA, to observe the differences against controls on mature process, expression of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules, secretion of cytokine IL-12 and alteration of reactions to allogeneic T cells; In mice cardiac allograft model, with donor DC treated with CsA, to observe the influences on survival of allograft, alterations of cytokine secretion by T cells and formation of chimerisms. Obtained results tested by Analysis of Variance and S-N-K test, P<0.05 considered as of significance. Results CsA can delay the mature process of mice immature dendritic cells, inhibit its function of antigen presentation, indicated by the downregulated expression of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules, secretion of IL-12 significantly decreased, being significant against controls; DCs treated with CsA can prolong the survival of allograft, inhibit reaction to allogeneic T cells, contribute to Thl/Th2 deviation and formation of microchimerisms. The differences against controls were of statistical significance. Conclusions CsA can induce allograft tolerance. Possible mechanism may include delaying maturation of DC, inhibiting expression of MHC and costimulatory molecules, negatively affecting immune reactivity of recipient T cells, thus inducing allograft tolerance.