Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities of statins.

Abstract

The statins are a group of inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase that are used extensively in medical practice because of their ability to reduce cardiovascular mortality and stroke. Although this protective activity was initially ascribed to the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver, clinical trials and basic research studies indicate that, beyond their cholesterol-lowering activity, statins might affect the function of different cell types in extrahepatic tissues. Here we will review the different mechanisms by which the statins exert their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory functions. We propose that statin pleiotropism is a key to the explanation of these activities, as it enables statins to act cooperatively in various steps of the inflammatory reaction, including terminal differentiation of immune cells, endothelial cell function, and regulation of the molecules that steer these cells to the sites at which they exert their immunomodulatory activity.

• Authors: Emilia Mira, Santos Mañes
• Journal: Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets (Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets) Vol. 9 Issue 3 Pg. 237-47 (Sep 2009) ISSN: 1871-5303 [Print] United Arab Emirates
• PMID: 19594418 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Chemokines
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
• Immunologic Factors

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• Antigen Presentation (drug effects)
• Capillary Permeability (drug effects)
• Cell Differentiation (drug effects)
• Chemokines (genetics)
• Humans
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Immunologic Factors (pharmacology)
• Leukocytes (drug effects, physiology)
• Lymphocyte Activation (drug effects)
• T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory (drug effects)