Regulation of different inflammatory diseases by impacting the mevalonate pathway.
The 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) interfere with the mevalonate pathway. While initially developed for their lipid-lowering properties, statins have been extensively investigated with respect to their impact on autoantigen and alloantigen driven immune responses. Mechanistically it was shown that statins modify immune responses on several levels, including effects on dendritic cells, endothelial cells, macrophages, B cells and T cells. Several lines of evidence suggest that statins act in a disease-specific manner and are not effective in each immune disorder. This review discusses possible modes of action of statins in modulating immunity towards autoantigens and alloantigens.
Zeiser
Robert
R
Department of Haematology and Oncology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. robert.zeiser@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Maas
Kristina
K
Youssef
Sawsan
S
Dürr
Christoph
C
Steinman
Lawrence
L
Negrin
Robert S
RS
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008798:Mevalonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D008798:Mevalonic Acid