Berbamine inhibits IL-2 receptor expression, but spares IL-2 production and its mRNA expression

C N Luo1, Q Y Bien, X Lin

  • 1Department of Immunology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

The purpose of this paper was to elucidate the mechanism of action of berbamine on the T-lymphocyte mediated immune responses. Effects of berbamine on IL-2 production, IL-2 receptor expression and the interaction between IL-2 and IL-2 receptor were observed. The results clearly demonstrated that berbamine suppressed the expression of IL-2 receptors on PHA induced T-blast cells, but did not alter the production of IL-2 of mouse splenic cells and human tonsil lymphocytes. Futhermore, the results also showed that berbamine at higher concentrations had a slight inhibitory effect on the interaction between IL-2 and IL-2 receptors, and addition of exogenous IL-2 did not reverse the inhibitory action of berbamine on T-cell proliferation.

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