Statins as modulators of regulatory T-cell biology.
Statins are pharmacological inhibitors of the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol. Some recent experimental studies have shown that besides their effects on the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, statins may also have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects through diverse mechanisms. On the other hand, the induction and activity of regulatory T cells (Treg) are key processes in the prevention of pathology during chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Hence, strategies oriented towards the therapeutic expansion of Tregs are gaining special attention among biomedical researchers. The potential effects of statins on the biology of Treg are of particular importance because of their eventual application as in vivo inducers of Treg in the treatment of multiple conditions. In this paper we review the experimental evidence pointing out to a potential effect of statins on the role of regulatory T cells in different conditions and discuss its potential clinical significance.
Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá, Colombia.
David A
DA
Forero-Peña
Fredy R S
FR
Gutierrez
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000166:cytology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002784:Cholesterol