Cetirizine does not influence the immune response

Ann Allergy. 1992 Mar;68(3):251-4.

Abstract

Antihistamines are frequently employed in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and urticaria-angioedema syndrome. We analyzed the in vitro effects of cetirizine on the immune response. To this end the proliferation of peripheral mononuclear cells induced by mitogen and by -CD3, -CD2, or -CD28 monoclonal antibodies has been studied. Since the plasma peak of cetirizine following ingestion of 10 mg is about 1 microgram/mL, the drug was tested in the cultures at the concentration of 0.1, 1, or 10 micrograms/mL. No influence of cetirizine on T cell proliferation was detected. We also evaluated the effect of cetirizine on the expression of the following markers expressed by T cells upon activation: lymphocyte markers ICAM-1, HLA-DR, and CD25 surface expression, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein has been also studied. There was no effect of cetirizine on the investigated immunologic parameters; these data acquire clinical relevance when related to previous reports showing a depression of the immunologic response exerted by other compounds such as ketotifen and theophylline and when related to the recent data about the modulation of ICAM-1 expression on eosinophils by cetirizine. Cetirizine does not affect ICAM-1 expression of lymphocyte membrane.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects*
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • CD28 Antigens
  • CD3 Complex
  • CD4 Antigens / immunology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / analysis
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cetirizine
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • HLA-DR Antigens / analysis
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / blood
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / analysis
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyzine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Hydroxyzine / blood
  • Hydroxyzine / therapeutic use
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Ketotifen / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mitogens / pharmacology
  • Orosomucoid / analysis
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / analysis
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Theophylline / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • CD28 Antigens
  • CD3 Complex
  • CD4 Antigens
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Mitogens
  • Orosomucoid
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Hydroxyzine
  • Theophylline
  • Ketotifen
  • Cetirizine