Immunosupresants

Immunosuppressants are substances that suppress the function of the immune system.

The main indications are

• Autoimmune diseases,
• organ or bone marrow transplantation,
• fetal erythroblastosis (in Rh neg. mothers).

Corticosteroids, antiproliferants (Cytostatics, but in lower concentrations than in tumors), immunophilin-binding substances (cyclosporine), and others are used.

Glucocorticoids

Prednisone and methylprednisolone – have lympholytic effects, inhibit prostaglandins and leukotrienes, suppress the production of IL-2 and others. They are used, for example, in asthma, lupus erytematodes, in case of rejection crisis after transplantation, etc.

 For more information see Glucocorticoids .

Cytostatics

Interference with DNA – methotrexate, azathioprine (antimetabolites), cyclophosphamide (alkylating agents).

 For more information see Cytostatics.

Calcineurin inhibitors

Cyclosporine – a polypeptide from the fungus Tolypocladium inflatum. It blocks the activation of RNA polymerase by calcineurin, ie it blocks the production of IL-2. The early phase of T-lymphocytes is inhibited. It does not suppress humoral immunity, so it has no side effects like other substances.

 For more information see Cyclosporine A.

Tacrolimus – a mechanism similar to cyclosporine. It can be combined with other immunosuppressants besides cyclosporine.

Links

Related articlesy

• Immunomodulants

Bibliography

• HYNIE, Sixtus. Farmakologie v kostce. 2. edition. Praha : Triton, 2001. 520 pp. ISBN 80-7254-181-1.