Effects of D-penicillamine on inflammatory and immune reactions.

The effects of D-penicillamine (D-Pen) in rheumatoid arthritis suggest that the drug may be anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive. Paradoxically D-Pen therapy may also induce antibody formation, and autoimmune disease. D-Pen is not consistently effective in animal models of immune disease. It is weakly suppressive in cellular responses to mitogens, but has a more pronounced effect on macrophage-dependent mixed leukocyte responses. The drug has an inconsistent effect on various components of the inflammatory reaction but under certain circumstances inhibits oxygen radical generation by monocyte/macrophages.