An analysis of the expression of cyclophilin C reveals tissue restriction and an intriguing pattern in the mouse kidney.

Cyclophilin C (cyp C) is a cyclosporin A (CsA) binding protein originally isolated from a mouse bone marrow stromal cell line. We have compared the expression patterns of the mammalian cyclophilins A, B, and C in mouse tissues using in situ hybridization. These studies reveal that cyp C is expressed in a restricted subset of tissues including mouse ovary, testis, bone marrow, and kidney. Within the kidney, cyp C is highly expressed in a narrow zone in the outer medulla. Using monoclonal antibodies reactive against cyp C, we find that the kidney cells expressing cyp C correspond to the S3 segment of the nephron. The S3 segment has been shown to sustain histopathological damage from high dosages of CsA, raising the possibility that cyp C may be involved in mediating this damage.