Mode of action of Tacrolimus
Tacrolimus intervenes in the activation of the immune system after recognition of foreign structures (e.g.B. Fragments of bacteria/viruses, transplants, etc.) These structures are presented to T cells of the immune system by antigen presenting cells.
Subsequently, the synthesis of important messenger substances (interleukins, among others) takes place within the T cells, which are responsible for their own growth and the activation of further immune cells. Tacrolimus acts as calcineurin inhibitor in T cells. Due to its fat-loving character it binds to immunophilin within the cells, whereby signal transduction pathways via calcineurin and thus the synthesis of the messenger interleukin (IL-2) is inhibited.
IL-2 is important for the independent activation and stimulation of T cells, which mediate part of the immune reactions in the body. Furthermore, the synthesis of further messenger substances of the immune system is inhibited. In contrast to other used immunosuppressive drugs, Tacrolimus takes effect already after a few days. Therefore, Tacrolimus is often combined with other immunosuppressive drugs in order to achieve a short- as well as a long-term immunosuppressive effect.
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