Effect of pentoxifylline on E-rosette formation and on the mitogenic response of human mononuclear cells

Pentoxifylline (Trental) has been shown to increase the intracellular cAMP concentration. In the present study we have examined the capacity of the drug to affect E-rosette formation by T lymphocytes. In addition, the mitogenic response of human lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (con A) was studied. The drug exerted a dose dependent inhibitory effect on E-rosette formation and on the proliferative response of lymphocytes to PHA and con A. It is suggested that this inhibitory effect is most probably due to the increased intracellular levels of cAMP induced by the drug.