We examined the effects of 30 DIF derivatives on concanavalin A-induced IL-2 production (CIIP) in Jurkat T-cells. We also examined the effects of some DIF derivatives on the activity of AP-1 (activator protein-1), NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells), and NFκB (nuclear factor kappa B), which are transcription factors required for CIIP.
Of the derivatives tested, some compounds suppressed CIIP as well as the known immunosuppressants cyclosporine A and FK506. A reporter gene assay revealed that 4 DIF derivatives tested suppressed CIIP, at least in part, by inhibiting the activity of AP-1, NFAT, and/or NFκB. Unlike cyclosporine A and FK506, the DIF derivatives had little effect on concanavalin A-induced interferon-γ production in Jurkat cells.
The present results suggest that DIF derivatives could be developed as novel immunosuppressive drugs.