Cyclosporin A enhances T cell‐mediated induction of E‐selectin

In a fetal intestinal organ culture model of intestinal inflammation, activation of T cells by a lectin, superantigen or anti‐CD3 antibodies induces E‐selectin expression which peaks 6‐10 h after activation and disappears by 24 h. We now show that addition of cyclosporin A (Cys A) increases the number of E‐selectin‐expressing endothelial cells and the intensity of expression, and it prolongs expression up to at least 60 h after stimulation. The dynamics of E‐selectin expression on tumor necrosis factor activated human umbilical‐vein endothelial cell cultures is not affected by Cys A. Furthermore, other immunosuppressive agents FK 506 and dexamethasone inhibit E‐selectin expression, indicating that the enhancement observed in the presence of Cys A is not a consequence of general immunosuppression.