Cyclosporine inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor production in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts

Objective To determine the antiangiogenic effect of cyclosporin A (CSA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods We investigated the effect of CSA on the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts. Fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) were prepared from the synovial tissues of RA patients, and cultured in the presence of CSA. The production of VEGF by FLS was measured in culture supernatants by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and activator protein 1 (AP‐1) binding activity for VEGF transcription were determined by polymerase chain reaction and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, respectively. Results CSA dose‐dependently inhibited both constitutive and transforming growth factor β‐induced VEGF production at the protein and mRNA levels. The suppressive action of CSA on VEGF synthesis was calcineurin dependent, as evidenced by a comparable inhibition by FK‐506. Agonists of cAMP, 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine and N‐2‐O‐dibutyryl‐cAMP, mimicked the effect of CSA on VEGF production, while a cAMP antagonist, 2′,3′‐dideoxyadenosine, abrogated the effect of CSA. A gel mobility shift assay showed that the inhibitory effect of CSA was associated with decreased AP‐1 binding activity to the VEGF promoter, in a cAMP‐dependent manner. Conclusion CSA may exert an antiangiogenic effect by inhibiting AP‐1‐mediated VEGF expression in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts.