Effect of roxithromycin on T lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production elicited by mite antigen

Clinical evidence suggests that roxithromycin (RXM) may be an effective additional therapy for bronchial asthma. However, how it interferes with allergic responses is unclear. To investigate the mechanisms of action of RXM, lymphocyte transformation and interferon (IFN)-gamma interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 synthesis associated with Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) mite antigen in patients with bronchial asthma were evaluated in vitro in the presence of RXM. T cell proliferation in Df antigen-stimulated patients' lymphocytes was suppressed by 50-100 mug/ml of RXM. Production of IL-4 and IL-5 was similarly decreased by 1-10 mug/ml RXM, whereas, IFN-gamma production, which was reduced by Df-stimulation alone, was increased by 50 mug/ml RXM. Our results suggest that skewed cytokine profiles of patients with mite antigen-induced bronchial asthma may be corrected with RXM. which may mimic those of patients in remission, who are tolerant of Df antigen. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B,V. All rights reserved.