AICAR suppresses IL-2 expression through inhibition of GSK-3 phosphorylation and NF-AT activation in Jurkat T cells

We examined the effect of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR), the dephosphorylated form of AICA ribotide (also termed “ZMP”), an intermediate of purine biosynthesis, on interleukin (IL)-2 production in T cells. AICAR inhibited IL-2 production in Jurkat T cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes activated with PMA plus ionomycin (PMA/Io) or with monoclonal anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28. Pretreatment with 5′-iodotubercidin, an adenosine kinase inhibitor, enhanced AICAR suppression of IL-2 production, suggesting that AICAR, not ZMP, is responsible for IL-2 suppression. We then showed that AICAR inhibited PMA/Io-induced IL-2 mRNA expression and IL-2 promoter activation. AICAR inhibited DNA binding and transcriptional activation of NF-AT and to a lesser extent AP-1, but not NF-κB, in PMA/Io-activated Jurkat cells. Finally, we found that AICAR inhibited PMA/Io-induced phosphorylation of GSK-3 but not phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK. These results suggest that AICAR exerts its immunosuppressive effect in activated Jurkat cells by inhibiting GSK-3 phosphorylation and NF-AT activation.