Quantitative proteomic analysis of cyclosporine-induced toxicity in a human kidney cell line and comparison with tacrolimus

► Nephrotoxicity is an adverse effect that limits the use of calcineurin inhibitors in solid organ transplantation. ► Using SILAC we studied cyclosporine-induced proteomic perturbations in human renal cells. ► Cyclosporine but not tacrolimus specifically activates both ER stress and the Basigin-Cyclophilins pathway. ► A number of cyclosporine-related changes in protein expression are corrected by co-administration of N-acetylcysteine. ► This work raises new directions for future research in the field of calcineurine inhibitors nephrotoxicity.