Specific inhibition of TH2-type cytokine production from human peripheral T cells by terfenadine in vitro

Background: Cytokine imbalance is thought to be one of the causes for allergic diseases. The effect of anti-allergic drugs on cytokine production from T cells should be examined in a convenient way. Objectives: To study the in vitro effect of terfenadine, a prototype non-sedating HI receptor antagonist, on cytokine production from activated T cells. Methods: T cells were cultured in the presence of terfenadine on anti-CD3 mAb and anti-CD26 mAb-coated wells, anti-CD3 mAb and anti-CD28 mAb-coated wells, and anti-CD3 mAb wells with PMA. T-cell proliferation, along with the concentrations of interleukin (IL) -2, interferon (IFN) -γ, IL-4, and IL-5 were measured. Results: Terfenadine inhibited T-cell proliferation and IL-4 and IL-5 production under each costimulatory condition tested, whereas it had no effect on IL-2 and IFN-γ production. Conclusions: These results indicate that terfenadine has a specific inhibitory effect on TH2-type cytokine production induced by several ways of costimulatory activation.