Immunosuppressive Agents (also known as Agents, Immunosuppressive, Immunosuppressive Agent): Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation o

NIH MeSH · D007166Chemicals and Drugs

Immunosuppressive Agents

Also known asAgents, Immunosuppressive · Immunosuppressive Agent · Agent, Immunosuppressive · Immunosuppressant · Immunosuppressants

Definition

Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging.

MeSH classification

  • D27.505.696.477.656

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Common questions about Immunosuppressive Agents

What does Immunosuppressive Agents mean in medicine?
Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Immunosuppressive Agents known by any other names?
Yes. Immunosuppressive Agents is also referred to as Agents, Immunosuppressive, Immunosuppressive Agent, Agent, Immunosuppressive, Immunosuppressant in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Immunosuppressive Agents sit in the medical classification?
Immunosuppressive Agents falls under the broader medical category "Chemicals and Drugs" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: D27.505.696.477.656). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Immunosuppressive Agents?
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Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D007166) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗