Early preservation of effector functions followed by eventual T cell memory depletion: a model for the delayed onset of the effect of thiopurines

Abstract

T cells arrested from cycling by thiopurines can still differentiate into potent effector cells capable of propagating the inflammatory process. Thiopurine treatment results in depletion of antigen-specific memory T cells, but this effect is dependent upon repeated encounters with the antigen over a prolonged time course.