Objective: To investigate the effects of Forskolin on activation, proliferation, and cell-cycle distribution of murine CD3+ T lymphocytes, and study the mechanisms of its immunosuppressive effect.
Methods: Singel cell suspensions were prepared from murine lymph nodes. Fluorescence conjugated monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry were used to detect the expression of CD69 activated by Con A, the proliferation index of activated mouse T lymphocytes was analyzed by CFDA-SE staining, the distribution of the cell cycle was analyzed by PI staining.
Results: Forskolin (10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5) M) could inhibit both the expression of CD69 on CD3+ T lymphocytes and T lymphocyte proliferation index stimulated by Con A in a dose-dependent manner. The C0/G1 of T lymphocytes increased but the S, G2/M phase decreased.
Conclusion: Forskolin can inhibit the activation and proliferation of murine T lymphocytes in vitro, and arrest activated T lymphocytes from G0/G1 to S or G2/M. Forskolin is a potential immunosupressive agent.