Mechanisms of action of mycophenolate mofetil.

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Allison AC

Mechanisms of action of mycophenolate mofetil.

Lupus. 2005;14 Suppl 1:s2-8.

PubMed ID

15803924 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, CellCept) is a prodrug of mycophenolic acid (MPA), an inhibitor of inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase. MPA depletes guanosine nucleotides preferentially in T and B lymphocytes and inhibits their proliferation, thereby suppressing cell-mediated immune responses and antibody formation. MPA also inhibits the glycosylation and expression of adhesion molecules, and the recruitment of lymphocytes and monocytes into sites of inflammation. MPA depletes tetrahydrobiopterin and decreases the production of nitric oxide by inducible NO synthase without affecting the activity of constitutive NO synthases. Activated macrophages produce NO and superoxide, which combine to generate tissue-damaging peroxynitrite. By these two mechanisms MMF exerts anti-inflammatory activity. Unlike calcineurin inhibitors, MMF is not nephrotoxic and does not induce the production of TGFbeta, which is fibrogenic. MMF does not increase blood pressure, cholesterol levels or triglyceride levels in recipients. MMF reduces acute and chronic rejection in allograft recipients and is efficacious in some nephropathies. Evidence is accumulating that MMF may have clinical utility in some autoimmune disorders.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs

Mycophenolate mofetil

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Mycophenolate mofetil	6-pyruvoyl tetrahydrobiopterin synthase	Protein	Humans	Unknown	Inhibitor	Details
Mycophenolate mofetil	Inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase 1	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inhibitor Inducer	Details
Mycophenolate mofetil	Inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase 2	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inhibitor	Details