Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium requires nonsterol precursors of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway for intracellular proliferation.
We have previously shown that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection perturbs the host cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Here we show that inhibiting the first step of this pathway (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase) reduces the growth of intracellular S. enterica serovar Typhimurium and has no effect on extracellular bacterial growth. Selectively inhibiting synthesis of downstream sterol components has no effect on infection, suggesting that the effect of statins on host nonsterol intermediates is detrimental to bacterial growth. Furthermore, statins also reduce bacterial proliferation in the S. enterica serovar Typhimurium mouse model. This suggests that blocking the production of nonsterol precursors in the host cell can be used to reduce infection.
Catron
Drew M
DM
Departments of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Lange
Yvonne
Y
Borensztajn
Jayme
J
Sylvester
Matthew D
MD
Jones
Bradley D
BD
Haldar
Kasturi
K
D000818:Animals; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*
D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin; D000069059:Atorvastatin