Each class of immunosuppressive medication works through different mechanisms:
- Corticosteroids interfere with multiple pathways of the immune response and reduce the production of inflammatory substances. - Calcineurin Inhibitors block the activity of calcineurin, a protein that activates T-cells, which are crucial for immune response. - Antiproliferative Agents inhibit the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins necessary for immune cell proliferation. - mTOR Inhibitors inhibit the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which is vital for cell growth and proliferation. - Biologics specifically target molecules involved in the immune response, offering a more targeted approach to immunosuppression.
