Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.1.3.16 (calcineurin)
 17,112 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Cyclosporin A (CsA), a cyclic endecapeptide, is a T cell-specific immunosuppressant and is successfully used in the field of organ transplantation. Another T cell-specific immunosuppressant, FK506, a more recently discovered macrolide antibiotic, is effective against graft rejection at much lower doses than CsA. Although totally different in structure, both compounds inhibit T cell activation by interfering with the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by inhibiting IL-2 gene expression, probably through the inhibition of calcineurin, a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase. Clinical studies have revealed that FK506 induces a variety of side effects in common with CsA. One of the most common side effects of CsA is hypertrichosis. The hair growth stimulating effect of CsA is observed not only in normal but also in pathological conditions of hair growth, i.e. in patients with alopecia areata and also in some patients with male-pattern alopecia. Although hypertrichosis is induced by both topical and oral administration of CsA, there has been no report showing that FK506 induces hypertrichosis. Recently we have found that topical application of FK506 to skins of mice, rats and hamsters markedly stimulates hair growth. This hair growth stimulating effect of FK506 is observed when applied topically but not by oral administration, even with a dose which causes marked immunosuppression. The hair growth stimulating effect of FK506 in normal animals may apparently be unrelated to its immunosuppressive effect. In vitro studies revealed that FK506 directly stimulates hair follicles. Mechanisms of hair growth stimulating effects of FK506 and CsA remain to be elucidated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
 ...
PMID:Hair growth-stimulating effects of cyclosporin A and FK506, potent immunosuppressants. 752 50

Tacrolimus is an ascomycin macrolactam derivative with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity that belongs to the class of calcineurin inhibitors. Tacrolimus in its topical formulation has been established as a safe and effective alternative to topical corticosteroids because of its mild side effects and its minimal systemic absorption. Topical tacrolimus has been approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in two concentrations, 0.03 and 0.1%. In a thorough research of literature the authors review all of the available data regarding the off-label uses of the medication in other dermatoses. It seems that compared to pimecrolimus, tacrolimus has proved to be a more effective treatment. There is no causal relationship that has been established between tacrolimus and carcinogenesis. Furthermore, the authors believe that, without any evidence, the theoretical concerns are not enough to produce warnings. Tacrolimus ointment 0.1% may be recommended as a first-line choice for seborrheic dermatitis of the face and trunk, facial and intertriginous psoriasis and probably for allergic contact dermatitis and Zoon's balanitis. It has been ineffective in numerous dermatoses such as alopecia areata, necrobiosis lipoidica, internal pruritus and in thick hyperkeratotic plaques of psoriasis when administered as the commercially available formulation without occlusion. There is yet unexploited therapeutic potential regarding the use of topical tacrolimus in dermatology. Isolated cases of successful administration of the medication in various cutaneous conditions require further large-scale studies to clarify the actual effectiveness.
 ...
PMID:Assigning new roles to topical tacrolimus. 1768 74