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Updated: Oct 11, 2025
18:48
In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
Published on: August 12, 2017
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Immunosuppressive drugs modes of action
Maria Meneghini1, Oriol Bestard1, Josep Maria Grinyo2
1Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit. Vall D'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona. Spain.
Best Practice & Research. Clinical Gastroenterology
|December 7, 2021
Summary
This review details how immunosuppressive drugs, targeting immune system pathways, manage inflammation and immune responses in transplantation and autoimmune diseases, while also outlining their toxicities.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- The immune system involves complex interactions between cells, cytokines, and chemokines.
- Intracellular inflammatory cascades have been increasingly understood in the past decade.
- Current immunosuppressive agents target various points in these cascades.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of action for widely used immunosuppressive agents.
- To describe therapeutic effects in solid organ transplantation and autoimmune disorders.
- To elucidate the mechanisms behind both therapeutic and secondary effects (toxicities).
Main Methods:
- Literature review of immunosuppressive agents.
- Analysis of intracellular and extracellular mechanisms of action.
- Examination of drug effects on immune cell types.
Main Results:
- Immunosuppressive agents modulate immune responses by affecting specific cellular pathways.
- Therapeutic effects target inflammation and antigen-specific immune responses.
- Side effects arise from both intended therapeutic pathways and off-target actions.
Conclusions:
- Understanding drug mechanisms is crucial for managing transplantation and autoimmune diseases.
- Balancing therapeutic benefits with intrinsic toxicities is key in clinical practice.
- Further research into targeted immunosuppression can optimize patient outcomes.
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