Cyclophilin A (CyPA) is an abundantly expressed intracellular protein. It exerts a variety of functions due to its peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity. When released into the extracellular space, CyPA binds to its extracellular receptor CD147 (EMMPRIN) and thereby initiates a cascade of inflammatory processes. Recent data indicate that both extra- and intracellular CyPA significantly contribute to cardiovascular inflammation, myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion injury, and myocardial remodelling processes. Thus, CyPA appears to represent a novel target to treat vascular and myocardial inflammation.
Keywords: Cyclophilin A; EMMPRIN; Inflammation.