Age-related differences in the effects of cyclosporine on lymphocyte intracellular free calcium

The effect of cyclosporine on lymphocyte intracellular free calcium [( Ca2+]i) is controversial, and potential age-related differences in lymphocyte CsA sensitivity have not been studied. We measured the mitogen-induced change in [Ca2+]i in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) following intravenous CsA infusion (5 mg/kg) in neonatal pigs and found a significantly reduced calcium response compared with control (P = 0.02). This was associated with an elevation in resting [Ca2+]i in the neonatal PBLs 24 hr following the CsA infusion (P = 0.02). These changes in lymphocyte [Ca2+]i were associated with suppression of cell proliferation. Neonatal PBLs in mixed lymphocyte cultures showed a greater PHA-induced change in [Ca2+]i (delta[Ca2+]i) compared with mature PBLs (P = 0.0007). The addition of CsA (1 microgram/ml) to mitogenic- and allogeneic-stimulated cultures did not affect resting [Ca2+]i or delta[Ca2+]i in either neonatal or mature PBLs. Our results demonstrate significant differences in calcium responses in neonatal lymphocytes following CsA infusion and allogeneic stimulation. This implies that there are age-related differences in CsA effects at or proximal to the level of calcium release and/or sequestration in the lymphocyte signal transduction pathway, and that elevated resting intracellular calcium levels may be indicative of reduced responsiveness, possibly through feedback inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity.