Some Immunopharmacological Properties of Adamantylamide Dipeptide (AdDP)

Abstract

Adamantylamide-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (AdDP, for adamantylamide dipeptide) belongs to a group of desmuramic MDP (muramyl dipeptide) derivatives, able to protect an organism from some viral infections. Masihi et al. (1987) showed that AdDP was able to substantially inhibit replication of influenza virus under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The mechanism of the AdDP actions is not quite clear, however. Possible effects of AdDP on immune reactivity have hitherto not been followed systemically, though the findings of Masek (1988) and Masek et al. (1984), showing an enhancing effect of AdDP on delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and on proliferative responses in thymus and spleen of in vivo treated rats, have already suggested an immunomodulatory activity of this compound. The aim of this paper is to describe some novel effects of AdDP concerning in vivo stimulation of humoral immunity and in vitro stimulation of some of the macrophage activities.