Propentofylline, phosphodiesterase and adenosine reuptake inhibitor modulates lymphocyte subsets and lymphocyte activity after in-vivo administration in non-immunized and SRBC-immunized mice

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate immunomodulatory effect of in-vivo administered propentofylline on the subsets and activity of murine lymphocytes. Methods Propentofylline (3 mg/kg) was administered orally to 8-week-old Balb/c mice, once or six times at 12-h intervals. The lymphocyte subsets, regulatory T cells, IL-5 and TNF levels were determined 12 h and 24 h after a single dose or after the sixth dose of the drug in non-immunized mice. Humoral immune response in sheep red blood cells (SRBC)-immunized mice was determined 4, 7 and 14 days after immunization. Key findings Propentofylline inhibited thymocyte maturation (increase in CD4−CD8− thymocyte subset and decrease in the percentage of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes) and modulated the lymphocyte subsets in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. An increase in the absolute count and percentage of splenic regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells) was noticed 24 h after single administration of the drug. Propentofylline lowered serum level of IL-5 and did not affect TNF concentration. Only a weak inhibitory effect on anti-SRBC humoral immune response was observed. Conclusions Propentofylline administration induced inhibition of thymocyte maturation and an increase in Treg subset that might be beneficial for an inhibition of immune response.