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Updated: May 11, 2026

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice
Published on: June 22, 2016
Levetiracetam but not valproate inhibits function of CD8+ T lymphocytes
Gang Li1, Mareike Nowak, Sebastian Bauer
1Epilepsy Center Hessen, Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstr. 1, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
Purpose:
To further elucidate possible immune-modulatory effects of valproate (VPA) or levetiracetam (LEV), we investigated their influence on apoptosis and cytotoxic function of CD8+ T lymphocytes in humans.
Methods:
In 15 healthy subjects (9 female (60%), 35.7±12.1 years), apoptosis and cytotoxic function of CD8+ T lymphocytes were measured using flow cytometry following in vitro exposure to LEV (5 mg/L and 50 mg/L) and VPA (10mg/L and 100 mg/L). Apoptosis rates were determined after incubation with LEV or VPA for 1 h or 24 h. Cytotoxic function was assessed following 2h stimulation with mixed virus peptides, using perforin release, CD107a/b expression and proliferation. The presence of synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) was investigated in human CD8+ T lymphocytes by flow cytometry analysis, Western blot and real time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR).
Results:
High concentration of LEV decreased perforin release of CD8+ T lymphocytes (LEV 50 mg/L vs. CEF only: 21.4% (interquartile range (IQR) 16.5-35.9%) vs. 16.6% (IQR 12-24.9%), p=0.002). LEV had no influence on apoptosis and proliferation (p>0.05). VPA (100 mg/L) slowed apoptosis of CD8() T lymphocytes after 24h (VPA 100mg/L vs. control: 7.3% (IQR 5.4-9.5%) vs. 11.3% (IQR 8.2-15.1%), p<0.001), but had no effects on perforin release (p>0.05). SV2A protein was detected in CD8+ T lymphocytes.
Conclusion:
LEV decreased degranulation of CD8+ T lymphocytes which may contribute to the increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in LEV treated patients. Inhibition of SV2A may be responsible for this effect.
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