Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the effects of tacrolimus on the secretion of IL-6 and sIL-2R as well as the expression of IL-6 and sIL-2R mRNA by lymphocytes. Methods Jurkat human lymphoma cells were cultured and treated with tacrolimus of different concentrations. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the levels of IL-6 and sIL-2R in the supernatant of Jurkat cells at 48 hours after treatment with tacrolimus of 0, 10, 102, 103 and 104 nmol/L, and real time reverse transcription PCR to measure the expression of IL-6 mRNA and sIL-2R mRNA of Jurkat cells at 48 hours after treatment with tacrolimus of 102 nmol/L. Results Tacrolimus of 102 － 104 nmol/L could suppress the secretion of IL-6 and sIL-2R from Jurkat cells （all P < 0.05）, with a more marked suppressing effect achieved by the use of tacrolimus at 103 － 104 nmol/L. The expressions of IL-6 and sIL-2R mRNA from Jurkat cells were downregulated by tacrolimus of 102 nmol/L （both P < 0.05）. Conclusion Tacrolimus at certain concentrations could downregulate the secretion of IL-6 and sIL-2R as well as the expression of IL-6 and sIL-2R mRNA by lymphocytes.

Key words: sIL-2RmRNA