Propentofylline, phosphodiesterase and adenosine reuptake inhibitor modulates lymphocyte subsets and lymphocyte activity after in‐vivo administration in non‐immunized and SRBC‐immunized mice

Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate immunomodulatory effect of in‐vivo administered propentofylline on the subsets and activity of murine lymphocytes. Methods Propentofylline (3 mg/kg) was administered orally to 8‐week‐old Balb/c mice, once or six times at 12‐h intervals. The lymphocyte subsets, regulatory T cells, IL‐5 and TNF levels were determined 12 h and 24 h after a single dose or after the sixth dose of the drug in non‐immunized mice. Humoral immune response in sheep red blood cells (SRBC)‐immunized mice was determined 4, 7 and 14 days after immunization. Key findings Propentofylline inhibited thymocyte maturation (increase in CD4−CD8− thymocyte subset and decrease in the percentage of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes) and modulated the lymphocyte subsets in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. An increase in the absolute count and percentage of splenic regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells) was noticed 24 h after single administration of the drug. Propentofylline lowered serum level of IL‐5 and did not affect TNF concentration. Only a weak inhibitory effect on anti‐SRBC humoral immune response was observed. Conclusions Propentofylline administration induced inhibition of thymocyte maturation and an increase in Treg subset that might be beneficial for an inhibition of immune response.