SM934, a water-soluble derivative of arteminisin, exerts immunosuppressive functions in vitro and in vivo

In the present study, we investigated the immunosuppressive effects and underlying mechanisms of β-aminoarteether maleate (SM934), a derivative of artemisinin, against T cell activation in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, SM934 significantly inhibited the proliferation of splenocytes induced by concanavalin A (Con A), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), and anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 (anti-CD3/28). SM934 significantly inhibited interferon (IFN)-γ production and CD4+ T cell division stimulated by anti-CD3/28. SM934 also promoted apoptosis of CD69+ population in CD4+ T cells stimulated by anti-CD3/28. Furthermore, SM934 inhibited interleukin (IL)-2 mediated proliferation and survival through blocking Akt phosphorylation in activated T cells. In ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized mice, oral administration of SM934 suppressed OVA-specific T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production. SM934 treatment also significantly inhibited the sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions in mice. Taken together, SM934 showed potent immunosuppressive activities in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated that SM934 might be a potential therapeutic agent for immune-related diseases.