Different regulatory effects of pentoxifylline on human T cell activation pathways

Pentoxifylline (PTX), a methylxanthine derivative, was examined for its effects on T cell proliferation and cytokine production stimulated by cross-linking anti-CD3 alone, anti-CD3 with PMA, anti-CD3 with anti-CD26, or anti-CD3 with anti-CD28 mAb, respectively. PTX at a 3.5 x 10(-5) M concentration significantly inhibited T cell proliferation and the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-2, and interleukin-4. Moreover, this effect was selective for stimulation by cross-linking anti-CD3 with PMA, or anti-CD3 with anti-CD26, but not by cross-linking anti-CD3 with anti-CD28. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of PTX on T cell activation involves the CD3 and CD26, but not the CD28 signal pathway.