Cyclosporin A depolarizes cytoplasmic membrane potential and interacts with Ca2+ ionophores

Cyclosporin Structure and Permeability: From A to Z and Beyond

Cyclosporins are natural or synthetic undecapeptides with a wide range of actual and potential pharmaceutical applications. Several members of the cyclosporin compound family have remarkably high passive membrane permeabilities that are not well-described by simple structural metrics. Here we review experimental studies of cyclosporin structure and permeability, including cyclosporin-metal complexes. We also discuss models for the conformation-dependent permeability of cyclosporins and similar compounds. Finally, we identify current knowledge gaps in the literature and provide recommendations regarding future avenues of exploration.

Mobile ionophores are a novel class of P-glycoprotein inhibitors. The effects of ionophores on 4'-O-tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin incorporation in K562 drug-resistant cells

The decrease of the intracellular concentration of drug in resistant cells compared to sensitive cells is, in most cases, correlated with the presence, in the membrane of resistant cells, of a 170-kDa P-glycoprotein responsible for an active efflux of the drug. In an attempt to identify mechanism(s) by which multidrug resistance can be circumvented, we have examined the cellular accumulation of 4'-O-tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin, alone and in conjunction with various ionophores on the one hand and with cyclosporin A on the other hand. The present study was performed using a spectrofluorometric method with which it is possible to follow continuously the uptake and release of fluorescent molecules by living cells, as the incubation of the cells with the drug proceeds. Erythroleukemia K562 cell lines were used. Using experimental conditions in which these ionophores were unable to modify either the intracellular pH, or the transmembrane potential, or to induce an intracellular ATP depletion, we have shown that mobile ionophores as well as cyclosporin inhibit the P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux of 4'-O-tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin in K562 resistant cells, whereas gramicidin, a channel-forming ionophore, does not. The concentration that must be used to inhibit 50% of the efflux was 0.7 microM for valinomycin, 0.4 microM for nonactin, 0.2 microM for nigericin, 1.1 microM for monensin, 0.4 microM for lasalocid, 1.2 microM for calcimycin and 0.4 microM for cyclosporin. Due to the high toxicity of the ionophores, the observation that they increased 4'-O-tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin accumulation in the multidrug-resistant cells is not correlated with an effect of these compounds on drug resistance. However, the correlation exists in the case of cyclosporin. From our data showing that lipophilic neutral complexes, formed between carboxylic ionophores and metal ions, are both able to inhibit the P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux of anthracycline we can infer that the lipophilicity but not the cationic charge is an important physical property.

Cyclosporin A enhances susceptibility of multi-drug resistant human cancer cells to anti-P-glycoprotein antibody-dependent cytotoxicity of monocytes, but not of lymphocytes

Cyclosporin A (CsA) was previously found to bind to P-glycoprotein expressed on multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cells. In the present study, the effect of CsA on anti-P-glycoprotein monoclonal antibody (mAb)-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against human MDR cells was examined. The ADCC reaction was assessed by 4-h 51Cr-release assay. Highly purified lymphocytes (> 99%) and monocytes (> 99%) obtained from blood mononuclear cells (MNC) of healthy donors were used as effector cells. CsA decreased the cytotoxic activity of MNC against MDR cells, but enhanced their ADCC activity in the presence of anti-P-glycoprotein mAb MRK16. Lymphocyte-mediated ADCC and natural killer activity against MDR cells were also suppressed by addition of CsA. CsA induced a significant dose-dependent increase in monocyte-mediated ADCC activity. Interestingly, pretreatment of MDR cancer cells, but not of monocytes, with CsA significantly enhanced ADCC activity mediated by monocytes, but not by lymphocytes. A CsA analog (PSC833) and FK-506, but not verapamil also increased the sensitivity of MDR cells to ADCC by monocytes. CsA did not affect the binding of monocytes to MDR cells in the presence of MRK16 mAb. These results indicate that CsA may directly enhance the susceptibility of MDR cancer cells to the monocyte-mediated ADCC reaction.

Derivation and characterisation of a mouse tumour cell line with acquired resistance to cyclosporin A

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is an effective modifier of multidrug resistance. We have studied (a) the possibility that cells grown in increasing concentrations of CsA acquire cellular resistance to the agent and, (b) whether such cells have a multidrug resistant phenotype. Sublines of the EMT6 mouse tumour cell line were developed which were able to grow in 75 and 200 micrograms/ml of CsA, respectively. The resistant sublines grew slowly in the presence of CsA but reverted to control growth rates, whilst maintaining resistance, when the drug was removed. P-glycoprotein (Pgp) was not detectable in the resistant sublines by immunocytochemistry. The CsA-resistant cells were not cross-resistant to doxorubicin or vincristine but showed a clear degree of cross-resistance to the calcium transport blocker, verapamil. Cellular accumulation of both [3H]CsA and [3H]daunorubicin was significantly increased in the EMT6/CsA200R subline compared with the parent line. In the EMT6 parent line, which expresses very low levels of Pgp, 10-30-fold sensitisation to doxorubicin may be achieved using 0.1-5 microgram/ml of CsA. Similar sensitisation by CsA was also seen in the CsA-resistant sublines.

Transmembrane signalling in T cells

Transmembrane signalling to activate T cells to proliferate and differentiate is a complex multistep process. It is the focus of much current interest, mostly because a selective and well-controlled inhibition of the process will allow regulation, or at least modulation, of the immune response. Here, Sándor Damjanovich and colleagues review the contributions of Hungarian scientists to the understanding of signalling in lymphocytes in particular, and cell activation in general.

Dynamic physical interactions of plasma membrane molecules generate cell surface patterns and regulate cell activation processes

Molecular interaction and transmembrane signal transducing events generate a very dynamic and ever changing "pattern" in the plasma membranes. Lymphocytes, the key functional elements of the immune system, are eminently suited to be the primary targets to investigate these proximity, mobility, or other physical-chemical changes in their plasma membranes. Recently, a number of experiments suggested that processed peptides from antigens can bind specific components of MHC molecules (Elliott et al., 1991). This is certainly a way to alter their structure. Cell surface patterns of topological nature, assembly and disassembly of oligomeric receptor structure like the IL-2 receptor have been investigated by sophisticated biophysical techniques. The dynamic changes in the two-dimensional cell surface pattern and intramolecular conformational changes within this "larger" macro-pattern may have a strong regulatory role in signal transducing and intercellular recognition processes. Recent data on these problems are presented together with brief and critical discussions.

Effects of changes in membrane potential on the cyclosporin-induced inhibition of T-cell proliferation

Cyclosporin A (CsA) exerts its major immunosuppressive effect by inhibition of T-lymphocyte proliferation. The precise mechanism and target of its action has not yet been completely identified. CsA is also known to induce a rapid membrane depolarization in T lymphocytes. We have tested the role of CsA-dependent depolarization in the inhibition of T-cell proliferation by the drug. In these studies, induced membrane depolarization (in the presence of gramicidin or by replacing the Na+ content of the medium with K+) or hyperpolarization (in the presence of valinomycin) had no influence on the induction of T-cell competence by phorbol dibutyrate/ionomycin or by submitogenic concentrations of PHA, a target for CsA immunosuppression. However, regardless of the state of membrane potential during the induction of T-cell competence, the inhibition by CsA was the same as seen in normally polarized cells. We conclude that the depolarization induced by CsA is not a critical element in its inhibitory effect on T-cell proliferation.

Cyclosporins as drug resistance modifiers

Cyclosporin A (CsA), a cyclic peptide of 11 amino acids isolated from the fungus Tolypoclodium inflatum Gams, is the principle drug used for immunosuppression in organ transplant patients. It is known to have a very specific effect on T-cell proliferation although the precise mechanism remains unclear. Following internalization, CsA binds to a cytosolic protein, cyclophilin, which has been shown to possess peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity. CsA is an effective modifier of multidrug resistance in human and rodent cells at doses in the range of 1 to 5 micrograms/mL. Although it reverses the drug accumulation deficit associated with multidrug resistance in some cell types, this is not always the case. CsA has P-glycoprotein binding activity but less specific membrane effects and inhibition of protein kinase C may also be involved in its resistance modifier action. A number of non-immunosuppressive analogues of CsA have been shown to have resistance modifier activity and some are more potent than the parent compound. One analogue from Sandoz, PSC-833, has been shown to be approximately 10-fold more potent than CsA and is expected to enter clinical trial in the near future. The use of such agents may allow a full test of the hypothesis that reversal of multidrug resistance will prove a useful clinical strategy.

Effects of cyclosporin A and a non-immunosuppressive analogue, O-acetyl cyclosporin A, upon the growth of parent and multidrug resistant human lung cancer cells in vitro

We have studied the ability of cyclosporin A (CsA) and a non-immunosuppressive analogue, O-acetyl cyclosporin A (OACsA, B3-243) to inhibit the growth of human lung cancer cells in vitro. Using continuous drug exposure and the MTT colorimetric assay to determine cell growth we found that CsA produced partial growth inhibition at doses ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 micrograms ml-1 (0.4-2.4 microM). At progressively higher doses, complete growth inhibition and in situ cell lysis were seen. The P-glycoprotein expressing multidrug resistant (MDR) variant H69/LX4 of the small cell line H69/P was less sensitive to cyclosporins than the parent line, but this was not true of the non-P-glycoprotein expressing MDR variants of large cell line COR-L23 or adenocarcinoma line MOR. Sensitivity to OACsA was approximately 2-fold higher than that to CsA in most of the lines although not in the most sensitive line, COR-L88. Even in COR-L88, exposed to CsA or OACsA for 24 h, clonogenic cell survival was reduced only to 50%. There was no reduction in polyamine content of COR-L23 or COR-L88 cells following 48 h of exposure to CsA or OACsA. The effects on cell growth could not be inhibited by the addition of exogenous putrescine, nor could they be enhanced by the addition of alpha-difluoromethylorthinine. It does not appear therefore that inhibition of polyamine synthesis is the basis of the observed growth inhibition.

The absorption site of cyclosporin in the human gastrointestinal tract

1. An emulsion preparation of cyclosporin was administered locally to different parts of the small and large intestine by gavage: to the duodenum (opposite to the papilla of Vater), jejunum (150 cm distal to the teeth), ileum (300 cm distal to the teeth), and to the colon descendens (30 cm proximal to the anus). 2. The bioavailability of cyclosporin after these instillations was compared with that after oral administration of a hard gelatine capsule formulation. 3. Cyclosporin was found to be absorbed predominantly in the small intestine. This may have implications for dosage in patients with reduced absorptive surface area.

Electroimmunology: membrane potential, ion-channel activities, and stimulatory signal transduction in human T lymphocytes from young and elderly

There are conflicting data on the functional role and direction of the changes in membrane potential and ion currents accompanying lymphocyte stimulation. Recently, we discovered that a known sodium channel opener, bretylium tosylate (BT), may influence the stimulatory processes of lymphocyte activation at more than one site. Parallel flow cytometric and electrophysiological measurements with patch clamp techniques showed that BT quickly repolarizes previously slightly depolarized human peripheral blood as well as splenic murine lymphocytes. The repolarization occurred through opening ligand- and voltage-gated, hitherto unknown sodium channels, and the sodium influx activated Na(+)-K(+)-dependent, electrogenic ATP-ase activity. A comparison of the flexible responsiveness of the membrane potential was carried out between lymphocytes from young and elderly using the above mechanism and a number of combinations of channel blockers and ionophores in order to obtain information on the alleged changes in immunological behavior. A significant difference has been found between lymphocytes from human young and elderly volunteers in the readiness to respond to channel-activating perturbations. An explanation is offered, based upon known physicochemical changes in the plasma membrane during aging.

Different inhibitory actions of cyclosporine A and cyclosporine A-acetate on lipopolysaccharide-, interleukin 1-, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3- and parathyroid hormone-stimulated calcium and lysosomal enzyme release from mouse calvaria in vitro

The effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) and one of its immunologically inactive structural analogues, cyclosporine A acetate (CsA-A) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-, interleukin-1 (IL-1)-, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25 D3)- and parathyroid hormone (PTH)-stimulated bone resorption were tested in mouse calvaria cultures. The release of calcium and a lysosomal enzyme, N-acetylglycosaminidase (NAG) was determined after 3 days of culture. All bone resorbing agents potently stimulated calcium and NAG release. At therapeutic concentration levels of 0.1 and 1.0 micrograms/ml, the immunologically active CsA was significantly more potent than the inactive CsA-A against LPS- and 1,25 D3-induced calcium and NAG release. The inhibition by both cyclosporines of IL-1 and PTH stimulated calcium release was not significantly different. CsA was however more potent than CsA-A against IL-1 stimulated NAG release. PTH-stimulated NAG release was not inhibited by CsA or CsA-A. These findings suggest that both cyclosporines interfere with more than one mechanism of activation of bone resorption. The specific effect of CsA against LPS and 1,25 D3 may be related to its known inhibition of immune cell derived cytokine expression.

Evaluation of potential chemoprotectants against microcystin-LR hepatotoxicity in mice

Microcystin-LR (MCLR) is a potent cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxin produced by the blue-green algae, Microcystis aeruginosa. Toxic blooms of this cyanobacteria have been reported throughout the temperate world. In spite of the potential economic loss and health hazard posed by this toxin, few studies on the development of an antidote have been conducted. Thus, a number of biologically active compounds were tested in mice for effectiveness in preventing the toxicity of a lethal dose of MCLR (100 micrograms kg-1). Efficacy was evaluated based upon the percentage of surviving mice, time to death and serum lactate dehydrogenase activity 45 min after treatment with the toxin. The biologically active compounds were separated into groups based upon proposed mechanisms of action. Enzyme induction by phenobarbital but not by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) resulted in partial protection against toxicity. Calcium channel blockers, free-radical scavengers and water-soluble antioxidants produced little protection against toxicity. The membrane-active antioxidants vitamin E and silymarin, as well as glutathione and the monoethyl ester of glutathione, produced significant protection from lethality. Rifampin and cyclosporin-A, both immunosuppressive and membrane-active agents, which also block the bile acid uptake system of hepatocytes, produced complete protection from the toxicity of MCLR. Thus, lipophilic antioxidants provide partial protection against MCLR toxicity while cyclosporin-A and rifampin are highly effective and potentially useful antidotes. The toxicity of MCLR may depend upon stimulation of the immune system and may be mediated by membrane alterations.

Effect of cyclosporin A on the membrane potential and Ca2+ level of human lymphoid cell lines and mouse thymocytes

The effect of the immunosuppressive cyclosporin A (CsA) on the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and membrane potential of human B and T lymphoblastoid cells and mouse thymocytes was studied in order to reveal some features of the early stage of drug-cell interaction. Cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration of the cells was measured by spectrofluorimetry using indo-1 and quin2 fluorescent calcium indicators. Membrane potential was monitored in a flow cytometer with oxonol dye. CsA applied at 2-20 micrograms/ml final concentrations caused a dose-dependent, rapid, transient rise of [Ca2+]i in all cell types. This effect could be blocked by chelating the extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA but was not sensitive to Ca2+ channel blockers verapamil and nifedipine or K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine. A possible explanation for the calcium mobilizing effect of CsA is an ionophore-like mode of action at the cell membrane level. Besides directly interfering with mitogenic signals, the elevation of [Ca2+]i could be responsible for an initial hyperpolarization observed in CsA-treated T lymphocytes. This hyperpolarization, however, was not detectable in B lymphoblastoid cells. A further difference between B and T cells was the diverse pattern of depolarization following CsA treatment. This variance in the behaviour of T and B lymphocytes and the diversity of membrane transport systems in its background could account for the different final outcome of the drug-cell interaction.

Verapamil and cyclosporin A sensitize human kidney tumor cells to vincristine in absence of membrane P-glycoprotein and without apparent changes in the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration

Vincristine (Vcr) dose dependently inhibited growth of the kidney adenocarcinoma cell line ACHN during 4 days of culture. Verapamil (Ver) at 10 microM and cyclosporin A (CsA) at 1 microgram/ml had no effect on cell growth but significantly potentiated the action of Vcr, despite the absence of the multidrug resistance associated membrane P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Neither Ver nor CsA had any acute or long term effects on cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration (Ca2+i), except for a small Ver induced increase after 36 h of incubation. The results indicate that Ver and CsA may have a sensitizing effect on chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity also in absence of P-gp. However, these effects are probably not mediated by changes in Ca2+i.

The effect of transmembrane potential on the dynamic behavior of cell membranes

The relationship between transmembrane potential and lipid dynamics in the cytoplasmic membrane of mouse thymus cells has been investigated. Changes of transmembrane potential was followed by measuring the fluorescence emission of the anionic dye, bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbiturate)trimethine oxonol (diBa-C4-(3)). Assessment of lipid fluidity was carried out applying three fluorescent lipid probes, 1-[4-(trimethylammonium)phenyl]-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH), 12-(9-anthroyloxy)stearic acid (12-AS) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) used to monitor different structural regions of the bilayer. The fluorescence anisotropy of these probes was measured as a function of temperature at two values of transmembrane potential. In the case of DPH it proved to depend on the membrane potential in the higher temperature range (above 28 degrees C), while no such a dependence could be observed for DPH below this temperature range and for TMA-DPH and 12-AS in between 20 and 37 degrees C. These data suggest that changes in transmembrane potential are accompanied with some local alteration in membrane lipid dynamics and/or structure.

Cyclosporines: correlation of immunosuppressive activity and inhibition of bone resorption

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressive agent that inhibits stimulated bone resorption in vitro. To study the mechanism of this effect, we have compared CsA with several cyclosporine analogs that vary in immunosuppressive potency. CsA as well as another potent immunosuppressive analog, CsG, inhibited parathyroid hormone (PTH) and interleukin-1 (IL-1)-stimulated resorption of fetal rat limb bones. The nonimmuno-suppressive analogs CsH and CsF did not inhibit PTH or IL-1-stimulated bone resorption. Likewise, the weakly immunosuppressive analog CsD did not significantly inhibit PTH-stimulated bone resorption. Although other mechanisms cannot be excluded, our data are consistent with the concept that bone resorption may involve an immune cell-derived mediator.

Effect of cyclosporin A and ionophores on the intracellular pH of lymphocytes as measured by flow cytometry

Because of the known importance of pHi changes on the biology of cells, we have investigated the effect of CsA, the clinically important immunomodulator, on the pHi of resting mouse spleen and human peripheral blood lymphocytes. We have found that pharmacological doses (0.8 microM) of CsA caused no change in the pHi in these cells. Similarly, the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187, up to 5 microns concentration, had no effect on the pHi of these cells, in contrast to previous reports. However, higher doses of CsA (2.4-8.0 microM) did change the pHi transiently or permanently. These results were obtained with flow cytometric measurements of fluorescence intensity of the pH-sensitive dye, BCECF.

Impact on energy metabolism of quantitative and functional cyclosporine-induced damage of kidney mitochondria

In this study we have measured, under experimental conditions which maintained efficient coupling, respiratory intensity, respiratory control, oxidative phosphorylation capacity and protonmotive force. Succinate cytochrome-c reductase and cytochrome-c oxidase activities were also studied. These investigations were carried out using kidney mitochondria from cyclosporine-treated rats (in vivo studies) and from untreated rats in the presence of cyclosporine (in vitro studies). Inhibition of respiratory intensity by cyclosporine did not exceed 21.1% in vitro and 15.9% in vivo. Since there was no in vitro inhibition of succinate cytochrome-c reductase and cytochrome-c oxidase activities, the slowing of electron flow observed can be interpreted as a consequence of an effect produced by cyclosporine between cytochromes b and c1. Cyclosporine had no effect on respiratory control either in vitro or in vivo. Statistically significant inhibition of the oxidative phosphorylation was observed both in vitro (6.6%) and in vivo (12.1%). Moreover, cyclosporine did not induce any change of membrane potential either in vivo or in vitro. Our findings show that cyclosporine is neither a protonophore, nor a potassium ionophore. In cyclosporine-treated rats we notices a decrease of protein in subcellular fraction, including the mitochondrial fraction. The role of the inhibition respiratory characteristics by cyclosporine in nephrotoxicity in vivo must take account of these two parameters: inhibition of the respiratory characteristics measured in vitro and diminution of mitochondrial protein in cyclosporine-treated rats.

Luminescence spectroscopic approaches in studying cell surface dynamics

The major elements of membranes, such as proteins, lipids and polysaccharides, are in dynamic interaction with each other (Albertset al.1983). Protein diffusion in the lipid matrix of the membrane, the lipid diffusion and dynamic domain formation below and above their transition temperature from gel to fluid state, have many functional implications. This type of behaviour of membranes is often summarized in one frequently used word membrane fluidity (coined by Shinitzky & Henkart, 1979). The dynamic behaviour of the cell membrane includes rotational, translational and segmental movements of membrane elements (or their domain-like associations) in the plane of, and perpendicular to the membrane. The ever changing proximity relationships form a dynamic pattern of lipids, proteins and saccharide moieties and are usually described as ‘cell-surface dynamics’ (Damjanovichet al.1981). The knowledge about the above defined behaviour originates from experiments performed mostly on cytoplasmic membranes of eukaryotic cells. Nevertheless numerous data are available also on the mitochondrial and nuclear membranes, as well as endo (sarco-)plasmic reticulum (Martonosi, 1982; Slater, 1981; Siekevitz, 1981).

On the biophysics of transmembrane signalling

Transmembrane signalling involves a number of physical translocations, changes in proximity of membrane elements like receptor subunits, or sequestration of proteins from the membrane. The monitoring of such changes with flow cytometric energy transfer revealed a new putative subunit of the IL-2 receptor and a possible intermolecular interaction between HLA class I and class II antigens. Lateral diffusion of the components of the multi-subunit IL-2 receptor was also followed. Changes in the intracellular pH were considered as a measure of efficient signal transfer in a number of cases. An overview and critical comparison of data is presented in the paper.

Cyclosporin-induced inhibition of insulin release. Possible role of voltage-dependent calcium transport channels

The exposure of normal pancreatic islets to cyclosporin-A (1 microgram/ml) for 24 hr resulted in significant inhibition of glucose-induced (16.7 mM) insulin release from 197 +/- 14 microU/10 islets/15 min (control) to 103 +/- 14 microU/10 islets/15 min (Cy-A-treated islets; P less than 0.001). Cy-A did not alter insulin release in the presence of non-stimulatory (1.7 mM) or submaximally effective glucose concentrations (9.2 mM). In parallel experiments, Cy-A reduced glucose-stimulated increases in cytosolic free calcium concentrations, [Ca2+]i (217 +/- 15 nM without and 137 +/- 3 nM with Cy-A in the presence of 16.7 mM glucose, P less than 0.01). To better define the site of Cy-A action, we studied its effect on insulin release and increases in [Ca2+]i induced by either K+ (50 mM), which promotes Ca2+ influx via voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, or by forskolin (20 microM), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM) or arachidonic acid (49 microM), all of which stimulate mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Cy-A significantly inhibited K+-induced changes (203 +/- 13 nM without and 77 +/- 6 nM with Cy-A, respectively, P less than 0.001), but not those induced by forskolin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP or arachidonic acid. These observations suggest that Cy-A inhibits insulin release by interfering with Ca2+ influx via voltage-dependent calcium channels.

Cyclosporine increases calcium in kidney medulla

Treatment of rats with 20, 50 or 100 mg/kg of cyclosporine p.o. markedly increased 45Ca accumulation in kidney slices especially in medulla. The effect was related to dose and duration of treatment, and was also observed in slices of kidney medulla from cyclosporine-treated mice. Total calcium was elevated in kidney medulla of cyclosporine-treated rats so that the effect is not merely an increased exchange but a build-up of calcium in the tissue. No histopathologic evidence of cyclosporine-related cell necrosis was present in mouse kidney, showing that calcium accumulation is not dystrophic in character. Accumulation of 45Ca in slices of rat heart, liver, or brain was not affected by cyclosporine pretreatment of the animals. It is suggested that cyclosporine-induced changes in calcium metabolism in kidney medulla may influence kidney function.

Accessibility of cell surface thiols in human lymphocytes is altered by ionophores or OKT-3 antibody

The accessibility of cell surface sulfhydryl groups in human peripheral lymphocytes was investigated with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) in the presence and absence of ionophore antibiotics and the monoclonal antibody, OKT-3. Only a few accessible protein thiols have been found on the cells as demonstrated by labeling with a fluorescent non-penetrating thiol-marker, monobromotrimethyl-ammoniobimane and the subsequent gel electrophoretic analysis of the protein pattern. Difference spectrophotometric measurement of thiol-DTNB reaction revealed that ionophores altering the transmembrane potential induced an enhanced cell surface thiol-exposure on the minute time scale. The effect showed a dependence on the external concentration of the cations. The binding of monoclonal antibody, OKT-3, directed against T3 complexes, resulted in a similar, concentration-dependent increase of thiol-accessibility. These data are interpreted as early membrane-effects of ionophores and the specific antibody including changes in the conformational equilibrium or vertical displacements of certain membrane proteins. These events are likely to be coupled to the changes in the transmembrane potential of the lymphocytes.