Arvanil inhibits T lymphocyte activation and ameliorates autoimmune encephalomyelitis

This study examined the immunomodulatory effect of arvanil, a synthetic capsaicin–anandamide hybrid. Arvanil inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-γ production. The phenotype of activated CD4 + T cells treated with arvanil shows a down-regulation of T cell activation markers such as CD25, HLA-DR and CD134/OX40. Arvanil and anandamide do not induce apoptosis on CD4 + T cells. Arvanil blocks the G1/S phase transition of the cell cycle in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, inducing activation of p21waf-1/cip-1 and phosphorylation of Akt/PKB. In vivo, arvanil ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the SJL/J mouse. Our findings have relevance for the use of arvanil and related compounds as a novel immunotherapeutic approach in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.