Mycophenolate mofetil in animal models of autoimmune disease

Abstract

Mycofenolate mofetil (MMF-Cellcept) is an immunomodulatory drug utilized extensively in transplant medicine. The efficacy of regimes including Cellcept in preventing allograft rejection, and in the treatment of rejection, is now firmly established. The immunosuppressive actions of this drug enabled the investigation for the beneficial effects in autoimmune diseases. We review the evidence for the contribution of MMF in autoimmunity in animal models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mercury induced autoimmune glomerulonephritis, diabetes mellitus, experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis, and experimental allergic encephalitis. MMF has an influence on the T and B cell pathways. It is immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory.