Statins could be used to control replication of some viruses, including HIV-1.
Statins are mainly known for their plasma cholesterol-lowering properties and are widely used for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. They however also exert pleiotropic effects through a variety of mechanisms, among which several immunosuppressive effects that are unrelated to their cholesterol-lowering activity. Interestingly, there has been recent evidence of antiviral effects, including preliminary studies on the efficacy of statins against HIV-1. This paper more particularly focuses on the specific inhibition of the binding of leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) to intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) by statins, independently of the inhibition of HMGCoA reductase. Targeting the statin-binding site within LFA-1 or regulating LFA-1 affinity by inhibiting prenylation of the small GTPases could prove useful to treat inflammatory, autoimmune diseases and possibly viral infections, including HIV-1.
Gilbert
Caroline
C
Research Center in Infectious Diseases, CHUL Research Center, Laval University, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Quebec, Canada G1V 4G2.
Bergeron
Marc
M
Méthot
Sylvie
S
Giguère
Jean-François
JF
Tremblay
Michel J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D002784:Cholesterol