Fluoxetine reduces murine graft-versus-host disease by induction of T cell immunosuppression

J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. 2013 Sep;8(4):934-43. doi: 10.1007/s11481-013-9463-7. Epub 2013 May 4.

Abstract

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are widely used drugs in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Although SRIs are generally regarded as safe drugs with relatively few side effects, literature suggests that high concentrations of SRIs may alter immune function. We investigated whether high-dose treatment with fluoxetine was able to suppress acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in a MHC-matched, minor histocompatibility antigen mismatched murine bone marrow transplantation model. We found that high doses fluoxetine induce a significant reduction of clinical symptoms and increase survival of these animals. The amelioration of clinical GvHD was accompanied by a reduced expansion of alloreactive T cells. We further analyzed the direct in vitro effect of six SRIs on the viability and proliferation of human T cells and found an anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effect that was significantly larger in activated than in resting T cells. We discuss these results in the light of potential future exploration of SRIs as a novel class of T cell immunosuppressive drugs.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Fluoxetine / pharmacology
  • Fluoxetine / therapeutic use*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / drug therapy*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred AKR
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Fluoxetine