Department of Dermatology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan. masaabe@med.gunma-u.ac.jp
BACKGROUND: We have previously reported that diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS; dapsone) can bring about significant clinical improvement in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). However, the pharmacological actions of DDS in the skin lesion of patients with CLE are still unknown. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to clarify the pharmacological actions of DDS on CLE. METHODS: We conducted an in vitro study to examine the effects of DDS on the mRNA expression and production of cytokines on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results. DDS suppressed mRNA expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and significantly decreased the level of TNF-alpha in culture supernatant. CONCLUSIONS: DDS may exert an anti-inflammatory action by suppressing TNF-alpha produced by activated mononuclear cells.