T cell activation by concanavalin A in the presence of cyclosporin A: immunosuppressor withdrawal induces NFATp translocation and interleukin-2 gene transcription.

Cyclosporin A (CSA), an immunosuppressive agent used in organ transplantation and to treat some autoimmune diseases, blocks the Ca2+-dependent steps involved in T cell receptor triggering leading to interleukin (IL)-2 production. Considering that the early steps of T cell activation are insensitive to CSA, we asked whether the initial activation achieved in presence of this immunosuppressor could affect the capacity of the T cell to respond to a mitogenic restimulation. We found that T cells activated by concanavalin A (ConA) for 48 h in the presence of CSA retain the capacity to proliferate in response to ConA once the immunosuppressor is removed. These cells are able to transcribe anew the IL-2 gene, without the requirement of new protein synthesis, and to up-regulate the alpha chain of the IL-2 receptor. Furthermore, we present the first direct evidence that the nuclear factor AP-1 is present in the nucleus of the T cells primed for 48 h in presence of CSA and that withdrawal of the immunosuppressor leads to the translocation of NFATp from the cytoplasm to the nucleus.