IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE EFFECT OF MYCOPHENOLIC ACID

The immune response to sheep red blood cells of the mice treated with mycophenolic acid was studied from both humoral and cellular aspects. Mycophenolic acid showed markedly immunosuppressive effect on the antibody formation when mice were treated with daily doses of more than 60 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days starting on the day of antigen injection. Late treatment resulted in a weaker immunosuppressive effect, while pretreatment was ineffective on antibody formation. The pattern of antibody formation between control and mice treated with mycophenolic acid was different. In the primary response of mice immunized with sheep red blood cells, the administration of mycophenolic acid prolonged the induction period, suppressed the total titer, and the formation of 2-mercaptoethanol resistant antibody (7S) was not detected throughout experimental period. Compared with other agents, mycophenolic acid is approximately equipotent to 6-mercaptopurine in immunosuppressive effect, determined by the decreases in the number of plaque forming cells and hemolysin titer. © 1969, JAPAN ANTIBIOTICS RESEARCH ASSOCIATION. All rights reserved.