CYTOKINE PROFILE OF HUMAN BRONCHOALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES AND BRONCHIAL EPITHELIAL CELLS IN RESPONSE TO INHALATION PARTICLES OF THE CYCLOSPORINE DERIVATIVE IMM 125

Abstract

Administration of antiasthmatic drugs in the form of inhalation particles may alter the cytokine network in the airways, independently of their pharmacological actions. Changes induced by drugs not well tolerated may potentially contribute to the immunopathology of the disease, a strongly undesirable effect. In this study, cell viability assays and characterization of the cellular profile of cytokines and chemokines were performed in order to investigate the response of human bronchoalveolar macrophages and bronchial epithelial cells in culture to inhalation particles of the cyclosporine derivative IMM 125. Interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and IL-8 were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the supernatants of bronchoalveolar macrophages, and RANTES, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and IL-8 in those of bronchial epithelial cells. Cells were studied both under basal and stimulated conditions (lipopolysaccharide and TNFalpha were used for activating macrophages and epithelial cells, respectively). The immunosuppressant FK 506 and the glucocorticoid Budesonide served as comparison. IMM 125 did not affect cell viability (except at high concentrations and long time periods). Moreover, IMM 125 did not induce an increase in the secretion of any of the cytokines and chemokines measured with respect to nontreated cells, except for a slight increase in IL-8, an effect that was also observed for FK 506, Budesonide, and inert latex particles, and was therefore regarded as nonspecific. Furthermore, IMM 125 significantly decreased the secretion of TNFalpha, IL-1beta by macrophages, and GM-CSF by epithelial cells, suggesting an antiinflammatory potential. In conclusion, the present in vitro results point to a good tolerance of human airways to IMM 125 inhalation particles.