FKBP12 along the nephron is essential for tacrolimus-induced hypertension and electrolyte imbalance

Tacrolimus (FK-506) is an immunosuppressive drug often used to prevent graft rejection in organ transplant patients. It inhibits the phosphatase calcineurin, when bound to an endogenous protein FKBP12. In T-cells this leads to immunosuppression. While effective, tacrolimus also causes side effects including hypertension, diurnal dipping disruption, hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypercalciuria. In an effort to develop safer immunosuppressive drugs and more effectively treat patients, unraveling these pathological mechanisms has become a priority.