Enhancement of interleukin-2 production and its mRNA expression by dihydroartemisinin

Immunoregulatory properties of a novel antimalarial drug dihydroartemisinin (DHA) were investigated in vitro. DHA 0.5-5 mumol.L-1 enhanced the lymphocyte proliferation induced by Con A. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) production and its mRNA expression by both Con A-stimulated mouse splenocytes and a T cell line LBRM-33-1A5 were also augmented by DHA. In contrast, DHA 0.5-5 mumol.L-1 did not show any effect on the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced lymphocyte proliferation and the spontaneous and mitogen-induced proliferation of transformed T cells. These results indicated that DHA might regulate lymphocyte responses through the induction of IL-2 production and that the enhanced T cell proliferation and IL-2 production might be mediated through different pathways.