Fig. 2.

Effect of immunosuppressive drugs (ISD) on T cell stimulatory signals. T cell stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb)/anti-CD28 mAb for 24 h resulted in up-regulation of CD154 and CD278 (a). All ISD inhibited the expression of CD154 and CD278. Drug concentrations were 1·0 ng/ml tacrolimus, 100 ng/ml cyclosporin, 100 ng/ml mycophenolic acid (MPA) and 8·0 ng/ml rapamycin. Data are expressed as percentage of cells expressing CD154 or CD278 as compared to medium controls (dotted lines), n = 4 (b). ISD inhibit the mRNA levels of B cell stimulatory cytokines produced by T cells to various extents. Data are expressed as percentage of cytokine mRNA inhibition compared to mediums controls, n = 3. Drug concentrations are identical to those of Fig. 2b (c). *P < 0·05; **P < 0·01; ***P < 0·001.