In vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory effects of cobalt protoporphyrin administered in combination with immunosuppressive drugs.

Abstract Background Immunosuppressive strategies are designed to take advantage of potential synergies between drugs to possibly decrease the risk of side-effects. In the present study, the ability of Cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) to potentiate the effect of the immunosuppressive drugs mycophenolate sodium (MPS) or cyclosporin A (CsA) was explored in vitro and in vivo . Methods In vitro analyses of proliferation and apoptosis were performed on primate T cell cultures, following incubation with the immunosuppressive drugs MPS or CsA, alone or in combination with CoPP. In vivo the effect of CoPP and CsA combination therapy was assessed in a rat heterotopic cardiac allotransplantation model. Results In vitro results suggest that co-administration of CoPP with CsA or MPS increases immunosuppressive effects of these drugs when combined with CoPP. In particular, the co-administration of CoPP with CsA resulted in the synergistic induction of lymphocyte apoptosis. In vivo , animals immunosuppressed with CsA (1.5 mg/kg) or CoPP (20 mg/kg) alone, had a median survival of 7 or 8 days, respectively. In contrast, animals immunosuppressed with CsA (1.5 mg/kg) combined with CoPP (20 mg/kg) had significantly prolonged median survival (12 days), compared to recipients treated with CsA or CoPP alone ( p Conclusion Our in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that CoPP can potentiate the immunomodulatory effects of CsA, ultimately extending allograft survival.