Effect of Y-27632 on release of cytokines from peripheral T cells in asthmatic patients and normal subjects.

Previously we have reported that Y-27632, a selective inhibitor of Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCKs) for RhoA, suppressed concanavalin A (Con A)-induced secretion of cytokines from peripheral T cells of normal persons. Recent studies suggested its usefulness for clinical management of bronchial asthma. We examined effect of Y-27632 on release of cytokines from T cells of asthmatic patients. Peripheral T cells of six asthmatic subjects and six normal persons were stimulated with Con A for 24 h in the presence of Y-27632. The concentrations of IL-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-4, and IL-5 in supernatant were measured. Y-27632 down-regulated secretion of IL-2 and IFN-gamma and weakly decreased secretion of IL-4 and IL-5 from Con A-activated T cells in the asthmatics. The reduced secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the asthmatics was inferior to that in the normal subjects. Our data suggested that the involvement of RhoA/ROCK pathway in TCR-mediated secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in patients with bronchial asthma differed from that in healthy persons.