Abstract
The statins are a group of inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase that are used extensively in medical practice because of their ability to reduce cardiovascular mortality and stroke. Although this protective activity was initially ascribed to the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver, clinical trials and basic research studies indicate that, beyond their cholesterol-lowering activity, statins might affect the function of different cell types in extrahepatic tissues. Here we will review the different mechanisms by which the statins exert their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory functions. We propose that statin pleiotropism is a key to the explanation of these activities, as it enables statins to act cooperatively in various steps of the inflammatory reaction, including terminal differentiation of immune cells, endothelial cell function, and regulation of the molecules that steer these cells to the sites at which they exert their immunomodulatory activity.
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Statins
Volume: 9 Issue: 3
Author(s): Emilia Mira and Santos Manes
Affiliation:
Abstract: The statins are a group of inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase that are used extensively in medical practice because of their ability to reduce cardiovascular mortality and stroke. Although this protective activity was initially ascribed to the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver, clinical trials and basic research studies indicate that, beyond their cholesterol-lowering activity, statins might affect the function of different cell types in extrahepatic tissues. Here we will review the different mechanisms by which the statins exert their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory functions. We propose that statin pleiotropism is a key to the explanation of these activities, as it enables statins to act cooperatively in various steps of the inflammatory reaction, including terminal differentiation of immune cells, endothelial cell function, and regulation of the molecules that steer these cells to the sites at which they exert their immunomodulatory activity.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Mira Emilia and Manes Santos, Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Statins, Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets 2009; 9 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187153009789044383
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187153009789044383 |
Print ISSN 1871-5303 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3873 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
The Endocrine Regulation of Stem Cells: Physiological Importance and Pharmacological Potentials for Cell-Based Therapy
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy New Potential Serum Biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis Identified by Proteomic Strategies
Current Medicinal Chemistry HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors: Effects on Chronic Subacute Inflammation and Onset of Atherosclerosis Induced by Dietary Cholesterol
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Tuning Immune Suppression in Systemic Autoimmunity with Self-Derived Peptides
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Evaluation of Venom as a Promising Tool for Drug Discovery: Focusing on Neurological Disorders
Venoms and Toxins Assessing Activation States in Microglia
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Endogenous Ligand Bias by Chemokines: Implications at the Front Lines of Infection and Leukocyte Trafficking
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets The Stroke-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption: Current Progress of Inspection Technique, Mechanism, and Therapeutic Target
Current Neuropharmacology Vitamin D : Autoimmunity and Gender
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Interplay between Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 In Chronic Inflammation and Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry TNF Superfamily Protein-Protein Interactions: Feasibility of Small- Molecule Modulation
Current Drug Targets Cholinergic System and Neuroinflammation: Implication in Multiple Sclerosis
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Implication of CD154/CD40 Interaction in Healthy and Autoimmune Responses
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Multiple Roles of Histamine in Autoimmune Demyelinating Disease of the Central Nervous System
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Role of Mitochondrial Heat-shock Proteins and Immunophilins in Neuro Degenerative Diseases
Current Drug Targets Toll-Like Receptors in Skin Infections and Inflammatory Diseases
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Editorial [Hot Topic:Controlling Autoimmunity by Modulating the Function of Autoantigen-Specific T Cells (Guest Editor: Andrew D. Weinberg)]
Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy Development of Nucleic Acid Drugs for Neurological Disorders
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Sirolimus and its Analogs and its Effects on Vascular Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Uric Acid and Oxidative Stress
Current Pharmaceutical Design