title: Roles of the Mevalonate Pathway and Cholesterol Trafficking in Pulmonary Host Defense.
abstract: The mevalonic acid synthesis pathway, cholesterol, and lipoproteins play fundamental roles in lung physiology and the innate immune response. Recent literature investigating roles for cholesterol synthesis and trafficking in host defense against respiratory infection was critically reviewed. The innate immune response and the cholesterol biosynthesis/trafficking network regulate one another, with important implications for pathogen invasion and host defense in the lung. The activation of pathogen recognition receptors and downstream cellular host defense functions are critically sensitive to cellular cholesterol. Conversely, microorganisms can co-opt the sterol/lipoprotein network in order to facilitate replication and evade immunity. Emerging literature suggests the potential for harnessing these insights towards therapeutic development. Given that >50% of adults in the U.S. have serum cholesterol abnormalities and pneumonia remains a leading cause of death, the potential impact of cholesterol on pulmonary host defense is of tremendous public health significance and warrants further mechanistic and translational investigation.
authors.forename: Kristin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Gabor
authors.affiliation: Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, P.O. Box 12233, Maildrop D2-01, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States.
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Fessler
mesh_terms: D002784:Cholesterol / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000378:metabolism; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008798:Mevalonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008074:Lipoproteins; D002784:Cholesterol; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D008798:Mevalonic Acid
keywords: Cholesterol; innate immunity; lipoprotein; lung; pneumonia; statins.