Question

Immunosuppressive cyclosporin A is obtained from
A. Aspergillus niger
B. Penicillium notatum
C. Monascus purpureus
D. Trichoderma polysporum

Answer 1

Hint: Immunosuppressive drugs are the drugs that inhibit or prevent the activities of the immune system or they suppress the immune system. Immunosuppressive drugs are also called as the immunosuppressive agent, immunosuppressants or antirejection medications.

Complete Answer:
- Cyclosporin is also spelled as Ciclosprin and cyclosporine.
- Cyclosporin A is a calcineurin inhibitor which is used as an immunosuppressant medication. It is a natural product.
- It is taken orally or by injections into the vein for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, in organ transplant to prevent the rejection of organs.
- Cyclosporin A is widely produced by submerged fermentation of aerobic fungi called Trichoderma polysporum.
- Cyclosporin are the members of the group of cyclic peptides. Cyclosporin is composed of 11 amino acids.
- Cyclosporin A has anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, antifungal and antiparasitic properties.
- Cyclosporine works by decreasing the function of lymphocytes. It forms a complex with that of calcineurin which in turn decreases the production of inflammatory cytokines by T-lymphocytes.

Hence, option D is the correct option for this question.

Note: Cyclosporin A is majorly used as an immunosuppressive in case of organ transplantation process. It is used in the prevention and treatment of graft-versus-host reactions at the time of organ transplantation.