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Carvedilol Differentially Regulates Cytokine Production from Activated Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

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Abstract

Chronic inflammation is one of the important mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis formation. The activated monocytes and their secreted cytokines contribute significantly to this inflammatory process. Here we examined the effects of carvedilol, a recently introduced cardio-protective alpha-1- and beta-receptor blocker, on cytokine production from various stimuli-activated human immune effector cells. By ELISA analysis, we showed that carvedilol inhibited interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), but enhanced interleukin (IL)-12 production in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)- and concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was marginally affected. When purified monocytes were examined, we observed the consistent up-regulation of IL-12 production while both IL-10 and TNF-α were unaffected or marginally down-regulated, respectively, by carvedilol. In agreement with the observation in monocytes, the production of IL-12 from activated macrophages was also up-regulated by carvedilol. We concluded that carvedilol might mediate its therapeutic effects through differentially regulating cytokine production from activated mononuclear cells, including at least monocytes and macrophages.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, USA

    Shih-Ping Yang, Shu-Meng Cheng & Tien-Ping Tsao

  2. Division of Gerontology Research, National Health Research Institute, USA

    Ling-Jun Ho

  3. Rheumatology/Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Yu-Lin Hsu, Deh-Ming Chang & Jenn-Haung Lai

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  1. Shih-Ping Yang
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  2. Ling-Jun Ho
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Yang, SP., Ho, LJ., Cheng, SM. et al. Carvedilol Differentially Regulates Cytokine Production from Activated Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 18, 183–188 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CARD.0000033638.37830.f7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CARD.0000033638.37830.f7

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