Inhibition of extracellular cyclophilins with cyclosporine analog and development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Cyclophilins exert both intracellular and extracellular activities related to immune responses and inflammation, which have been implicated in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Pan-inhibition of cyclophilins has both pro- and antiatherosclerotic properties, but specific contributions of extracellular and intracellular cyclophilins to these effects have not been characterized. Here, using selective inhibitor of extracellular cyclophilins, we investigated the role of these molecules in atherosclerosis.