title: Atorvastatin inhibits autoreactive B cell activation and delays lupus development in New Zealand black/white F1 mice.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by a wide range of immunological abnormalities that underlie the loss of tolerance. In this study we show that administration of atorvastatin to lupus-prone NZB/W F(1) mice resulted in a significant reduction in serum IgG anti-dsDNA Abs and decreased proteinuria. Histologically, the treatment was associated with reduced glomerular Ig deposition and less glomerular injury. Disease improvement was paralleled by decreased expression of MHC class II on monocytes and B lymphocytes and reduced expression of CD80 and CD86 on B lymphocytes. Consequent upon this inhibition of Ag presentation, T cell proliferation was strongly impaired by atorvastatin in vitro and in vivo. A significant decrease in MHC class II expression was also observed in the target organ of lupus disease (i.e., the glomerulus). Serum cholesterol in atorvastatin-treated lupus mice fell to the level found in young NZB/W mice before disease onset. This is the first demonstration that atorvastatin can delay the progression of a spontaneous autoimmune disease and may specifically benefit patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lawman
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: Elizabeth C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Jury
authors.forename: H Terrence
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ehrenstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011758:Pyrroles; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069059:Atorvastatin