Spotlight on statins.
Statins are among the most widely prescribed drugs to prevent cardiovascular morbidity. Over recent years, statins have also been shown to exert pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects that might be of therapeutic benefit in autoimmune disorders. Interestingly, the primary mechanism by which statins alter immune function appears to be largely independent of lipidlowering and mediated primarily through inhibition of post-translational prenylation of regulatory proteins. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS), statins prevent and even reverse established paralysis. Furthermore, statins were recently shown to exert synergistic benefit in combination with some agents already approved for MS therapy. Based upon these encouraging results obtained in the animal model, statins are now being evaluated in clinical trials as potential therapy for MS.
Weber
M S
MS
Department of Neurology and Program in Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, S-268, San Francisco, CA 94143-0435, USA.
Stuve
O
O
Neuhaus
O
O
Hartung
H-P
HP
Zamvil
S S
SS
D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate