Molecular mechanisms underlying suppression of lymphocyte responses by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs

Initially identified and further developed as inhibitors of cyclooxygenases, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been more recently shown to bind to and act as agonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor family of transcription factors. Here we summarize the current knowledge on the functions of the principal targets of NSAIDs and review their role in T and B lymphocytes, with a focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of NSAIDs on lymphocyte development, activation, differentiation and death.