Effect of UVB and AS 101 on interleukin-2 production and helper activity in psoriatic patients

Peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained from eight untreated patients suffering from long-standing plaque-type psoriasis 1 h following UVB treatment and at the end of 15 UVB treatments. Before treatment and following in vivo treatment with 0.01-0.3 J/cm², the patients' lymphocytes were tested for interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and helper activity with and without addition of the immunomodulator AS101. AS101 is a synthetic organotellurium compound, ammonium trichloro(O,O'-dioxyethylene) tellurate. UVB at a flow of 0.01 J/cm² did not affect any of these functions. However, after 15 UVB treatments, when the dose given had reached 0.3 J/cm², a complete inhibition of IL-2 production and helper activity was observed. In vitro addition of AS 101 at 0.1 μg/ml to the in vivo UVB-treated lymphocytes raised IL-2 production to approximately double the initial level, and improved the helper activity of CD4 cells.