Fungal Immunosuppressive Compounds

Summary

Background

   Endophytes, microorganisms that reside in the tissues of living plants, are relatively unstudied and potential sources of novel natural products for exploitation in medicine, agriculture, and industry. Endophytic microbes, often in tropical rainforests, make compounds that have potential uses in medicine and agriculture, such as antibiotics, antioxidants and immunosuppressants. A collection of fungal endophytes in the tropical rainforest is of particular interest since it shows strong inhibitory activity toward a common pathogen of many plant species. The compound extracted from the fungal endophyte reveals strong similarities to cyclosporin A, an important immunosupressive drug.

Since the discovery of cyclosporin A in 1976, it has been the principal immunosuppressive agent used in medicine. In present days, in addition to cyclosporin A, tacrolimus and sirolimus also are immunosupressants used in clinical practice and they act on T cell lymphocytes. However, all three drugs produce severe side-effects, including nephrotoxicity, beta-cell toxicity, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.       

Innovation

Applications

Advantages

• No cytotoxicity.
• More effective immunosupressant. 

State Of Development

Patent Status