Our previous work reported functional recovery after transplantation of mouse and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (hiPSC-NS/PCs) into rodent models of spinal cord injury (SCI). Although hiPSC-NS/PCs proved useful for the treatment of SCI, the tumorigenicity of the transplanted cells must be resolved before they can be used in clinical applications. The c...

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the immunosuppressants FK506 and cyclosporin A (CsA) on the osteogenic differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS The effect of FK506 and CsA on rat MSCs was assessed in vitro. The MTT assay was used to determine the deleterious effect of immunosuppressants on stem cell proliferation at 1, 3, and 7 days. Al...

INTRODUCTION Immunosuppressants are used ubiquitously post-liver transplantation to prevent allograft rejection. However their effects on hepatocytes are unknown. Experimental data from non-liver cells indicate that immunosuppressants may promote cell death thereby driving an inflammatory response that promotes fibrosis and raises concerns that a similar effect may occur within the liver. We ev...

BACKGROUND Monocytes are critical in innate immunity and transplantation. Three monocyte subsets exist, CD14(++)CD16(-), CD14(++)CD16(+) and CD14(+)CD16(++) monocytes; cell counts of CD14(++)CD16(+) and CD14(+)CD16(++) monocytes are increased in pre-transplant chronic kidney disease. Interestingly, the effect of immunosuppressants on monocyte heterogeneity has not been well studied. METHODS T...

BACKGROUND Variations in the expression and activity levels of the multidrug-resistance MDR1/ABCB1 encoded P- glycoprotein (P-gp) have an impact on the therapeutic efficacy of many drugs. C3435T and G2677 polymorphisms of the MDR1/ABCB1 gene correlate with cellular expression levels of P-gp, a membrane-bound efflux pump which removes a multitude of drugs, including chemotherapy drugs and immuno...

BACKGROUND Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) may be zoonotic. Recently the "immuno-modulators" methotrexate, azathioprine and 6-MP and the "anti-inflammatory" 5-ASA have been shown to inhibit MAP growth in vitro. We concluded that their most plausible mechanism of action is as antiMAP antibiotics. The "immunosuppressants" Cyclosporine A, Rapamycin and Tacrolimus (FK 506) tre...

BACKGROUND Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is associated with immunological dysfunctions--a well-known risk factor of shingles. This study aimed to examine the incidence and risk of shingles in adults with pSS and pharmacological treatments. METHODS This retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted using National Health Insurance claims data. Using propensity scores, 4,287 pSS a...

BACKGROUND Rituximab, a monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody, has been used with encouraging results in pemphigus. We describe herein refractory cases of pemphigus vulgaris (n = 23) and pemphigus foliaceus (n = 1) treated with rituximab in addition to steroids and immunosuppressants. AIMS To assess the response to treatment, the duration of clinical remission, serology of the response and adverse ef...