Effects of immunosuppressive drugs and antibiotics on GM-CSF and G-CSF secretion in vitro by monocytes, T lymphocytes and endothelial cells

We studied the effects of eight antibiotics, cyclosporin and corticosteroids on the in vitro secretion of GM-CSF and G-CSF by monocytes, T lymphocytes and endothelial cells. The aim was to evaluate a possible mechanism for these drugs in the delay of haemopoietic recovery after high-dose chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation. Corticosteroids were prominent inhibitors of GM-CSF secretion by monocytes and T lymphocytes, but not by endothelial cells. In contrast, G-CSF secretion by monocytes was unchanged whereas that of endothelial cells was enhanced in the presence of corticosteroids. Cyclosporin efficiently down-regulated GM-CSF secretion by T lymphocytes and had also a minor effect on CSF secretion by endothelial cells, whereas monocyte secretion was unaffected. Stimulated T lymphocytes derived from patients under treatment with cyclosporin had impaired capacity to secrete GM-CSF compared to controls, Among the antibiotics, cephalosporins inhibited GM-CSF secretion by T lymphocytes, and GM- and G-CSF secretion by endothelial cells. Ciprofloxacin and sulphmethoxazole had minor effects on GM-CSF secretion by T lymphocytes and endothelial cells. No antibiotic significantly influenced GM-CSF secretion by monocytes.