DIFFERENT MECHANISMS IN INHIBITION OF RAT MACROPHAGE NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE EXPRESSION BY FK 506 AND CYCLOSPORIN A

Abstract

The modulatory effect of FK 506 and cyclosporin A (CsA) on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in macrophages and mechanisms of their action were analysed. Isolated rat peritoneal macrophages were cultured for 12 or 24 h with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 μg/ml) and in the absence or presence of FK 506 or CsA (0.1 and 1 μg/ml). Total RNA from macrophages was isolated and the expression of the gene for iNOS was assessed by using RT-PCR. The concentration of NO₂⁻ in culture supernatants was taken as a measure of nitric oxide (NO) production. FK 506 (0.1 and 1 μg/ml) reduced the LPS-induced increase of NO₂⁻ levels by 68% and 81%, respectively. CsA (0.1 and 1 μg/ml) decreased levels of nitrites by 39% and 69%, respectively. The results obtained suggest that both immunosuppressive drugs exhibit dose-dependent inhibitory effect on NO production and that FK 506 is more potent agent than CsA, in this respect. FK 506 exhibits its inhibitory effect on a phosphatase at the transcriptional level in macrophages. iNOS expression down-regulation by CsA is occurred post-transcriptionally.