Cyclosporin A attenuates increased prostaglandin and thromboxane production in response to various stimuli in human decidua

Abstract

Problem: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of cyclosporin A on prostanoid (prostaglandin and thromboxane) production by human decidua.

Method: Decidual cells were isolated from term placentae obtained at elective cesarean section before the onset of labor. Cells were grown to confluence and then incubated for 16 h with cyclosporin A (0.1-100 ng/ml) in the presence and absence of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta, 10 ng/ml), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 10(-7) M) and ionomycin (0.5 micron). Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were measured by radioimmunoassay, and cellular protein was determined.

Results: IL-1 beta, PMA, and ionomycin all stimulated decidual PGE2 and TXB2 production as expected. However, these stimulatory actions were attenuated by 20% when cells were coincubated with cyclosporin A (100 ng/ml). All concentrations of cyclosporin A tested were within the therapeutic range.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that cyclosporin A does not stimulate decidual prostanoid production and is probably unrelated to preterm labor and delivery in allograft recipients.