Berbamine inhibits IL-2 receptor expression, but spares IL-2 production and its mRNA expression.

The purpose of this paper was to elucidate the mechanism of action of berbamine on the T-lymphocyte mediated immune responses. Effects of berbamine on IL-2 production, IL-2 receptor expression and the interaction between IL-2 and IL-2 receptor were observed. The results clearly demonstrated that berbamine suppressed the expression of IL-2 receptors on PHA induced T-blast cells, but did not alter the production of IL-2 of mouse splenic cells and human tonsil lymphocytes. Futhermore, the results also showed that berbamine at higher concentrations had a slight inhibitory effect on the interaction between IL-2 and IL-2 receptors, and addition of exogenous IL-2 did not reverse the inhibitory action of berbamine on T-cell proliferation.