title: Immunomodulation by statins: mechanisms and potential impact on autoimmune diseases.
abstract: Statins are inhibitors of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) and they are the most effective agents for lowering cholesterol in clinical practice for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, it has become clear that statins also have pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects in addition to their lipid-lowering properties. As a result, much attention has been focused on their potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammatory autoimmune diseases. In this review the effect of statins on the expression and function of a variety of immune-relevant molecules will be discussed alongside the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the immunomodulatory effects of statins.
authors: School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 46150 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. chow.sek.chuen@sci.monash.edu.my
authors: Sek C
authors: SC
authors: Chow
mesh_terms: D000214:Acyl Coenzyme A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D020218:Response Elements; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000214:Acyl Coenzyme A; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; C008047:3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A; D007371:Interferon-gamma