PDF OnlyColchicine interferes with L-selectin and leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 expression on human T lymphocytes and inhibits T cell activation.Perico, N; Ostermann, D; Bontempeill, M; Morigi, M; Amuchastegui, C S; Zoja, C; Akalin, E; Sayegh, M H; Remuzzi, G Author Information Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Bergamo, Italy. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN 7(4):p 594-601, April 1996. | DOI: 10.1681/ASN.V74594 Free Metrics Abstract Colchicine, which inhibits cell microtubule assembly by preventing polymerization of tubulin monomers, inhibits cell-mediated immune responses and promotes long-term survival of major histocompatibility complex-incompatible renal allografts in rats. Here we evaluated the effect of blocking cell microtubule assembly by colchicine on T cell and endothelial cell adhesion receptors involved in transducing signals for T cell activation. By using immunofluorescence flow cytometry analysis, evidence is presented that colchicine, in a dose-dependent fashion, downregulated L-selectin and leukocyte function-associated antigen-1, but not CD2 and CD44 on the surface of naive human peripheral blood lymphocytes. This effect was confirmed in two subsets of T lymphocytes, namely, CD45RA- and CD45RO-positive cells. However, colchicine did not influence the rapid shedding of L-selectin from T lymphocytes exposed to activating stimuli. Colchicine inhibited expression of interleukin-2 receptor on activated T lymphocytes. This effect was observed when T lymphocytes were stimulated with both anti-CD3 and anti L-selectin monoclonal antibodies. Colchicine also inhibited lymphocyte function in vitro as documented by inhibition of the human mixed lymphocyte response in a dose-dependent fashion. Moreover, colchicine downregulated surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin on activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These results indicate that blocking cell microfubule assembly inhibits surface expression of adhesion molecules on T cells and endothelial cells, and provides insights into the complex mechanisms of the action of colchicine in vivo. Copyright © 1996 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.