Toward a role for statins in immunomodulation.
The family of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) inhibitors, collectively known as statins, is used clinically to reduce cholesterol levels in patients. Recent reports suggest that not only would statin therapy be beneficial for at-risk (genetically predisposed) people without symptoms of hypercholesterolemia, but that statins may have beneficial, pleiotropic effects in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Youssef et al. have described how an HMG-CoA inhibitor, atorvastatin, might ameliorate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the mouse model for human multiple sclerosis. The possible clinical use of statins as anti-inflammatory drugs has also been demonstrated in other published reports. These provocative results suggest a role for statins in relieving autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Mach
François
F
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Foundation for Medical Research, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland. Francois.Mach@medecine.unige.ch
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000187:drug effects; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007211:Indoles; D011758:Pyrroles; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D008148:Lovastatin; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; D017035:Pravastatin