FTY720 alters the composition of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood compartment of renal transplant patients

The influence of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor signaling on lymphocyte trafficking: how a bioactive lipid mediator grew up from an "immature" vascular maturation factor to a "mature" mediator of lymphocyte behavior and function

Since the initial observations that highlighted the importance of lymphocyte trafficking for immune responses, the pathways utilized by B and T lymphocytes to recirculate and properly position themselves have been intensely studied. Most of the chemoattractants along with their cognate receptors that affect lymphocyte trafficking have been identified. Some of their functions are promotion of lymphocyte ingress into immune organs, localization of cells to specific regions within those organs, maintenance of lymphocyte basal motility in immune organs, facilitation of lymphocyte egress from these organs, and control of migration and homing of lymphocytes in the periphery. Since the seminal discovery that agonism of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors evokes changes in lymphocyte homing and trafficking, considerable effort has been undertaken to characterize the mechanism utilized by these receptors to influence lymphocyte behavior. This review will focus on the influence of sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling system on lymphocyte localization, egress from lymph organs, and its effects on the lymphatic vasculature.

A novel immunomodulator, FTY720, prevents spontaneous dermatitis in NC/Nga mice

Oral administration of a novel immunomodulator, FTY720 (0.1 mg/kg, once a week), completely prevented the spontaneous development of dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. It also strongly suppressed hyper IgE production in serum, as well as hypertrophy of the epidermis and the degranulation of granulocytes in the skin, all of which were observed in mice in which the dermatitis had become established. These results strongly suggest that FTY720 is a promising candidate for treatment of human atopic dermatitis.

A Novel Immunomodulator, FTY720, Prevents Development of Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis in C57BL/6 Mice

Prophylactic oral administration of a novel immunomodulator (immunosuppressant), FTY720 (1 mg/kg, three times a week), completely prevented the development of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) in C57BL/6 mice. EAMG has been used as an animal model for human myasthenia gravis, and was established by immunizing the mice with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) from Torpedo californica. FTY720 also suppressed the production of both anti-Torpedo californica AChR antibody and anti-mouse AChR autoantibody by the mice, which were observed in mice in which EAMG had become established. These results strongly suggest that FTY720 is a promising candidate for treatment of human myasthenia gravis.