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Voss L, Guttek K, Reddig A, Reinhold A, Voss M, Simeoni L, Schraven B, Reinhold D. Pitavastatin Is a Highly Potent Inhibitor of T-Cell Proliferation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080727. [PMID: 34451823 PMCID: PMC8399298 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Repositioning of approved drugs is an alternative time- and cost-saving strategy to classical drug development. Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors that are usually used as cholesterol-lowering medication, and they also exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we observed that the addition of Pitavastatin at nanomolar concentrations inhibits the proliferation of CD3/CD28 antibody-stimulated human T cells of healthy donors in a dose-dependent fashion. The 50% inhibition of proliferation (IC50) were 3.6 and 48.5 nM for freshly stimulated and pre-activated T cells, respectively. In addition, Pitavastatin suppressed the IL-10 and IL-17 production of stimulated T cells. Mechanistically, we found that treatment of T cells with doses <1 µM of Pitavastatin induced hyperphosphorylation of ERK1/2, and activation of caspase-9, -3 and -7, thus leading to apoptosis. Mevalonic acid, cholesterol and the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 reversed this Pitavastatin-mediated ERK1/2 activation and apoptosis of T cells. In summary, our results suggest that Pitavastatin is a highly potent inhibitor of T-cell proliferation, which induces apoptosis via pro-apoptotic ERK1/2 activation, thus representing a potential repositioning candidate for the treatment of T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Voss
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Karina Guttek
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Annika Reddig
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Annegret Reinhold
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
- Health Campus Immunology, Infection and Inflammation (GC-I3), Medical Fakulty, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Martin Voss
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
| | - Luca Simeoni
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
- Health Campus Immunology, Infection and Inflammation (GC-I3), Medical Fakulty, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Burkhart Schraven
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
- Health Campus Immunology, Infection and Inflammation (GC-I3), Medical Fakulty, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Reinhold
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (L.V.); (K.G.); (A.R.); (A.R.); (M.V.); (L.S.); (B.S.)
- Health Campus Immunology, Infection and Inflammation (GC-I3), Medical Fakulty, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-391-6715857
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Badr-Eldin SM, Alhakamy NA, Fahmy UA, Ahmed OAA, Asfour HZ, Althagafi AA, Aldawsari HM, Rizg WY, Mahdi WA, Alghaith AF, Alshehri S, Caraci F, Caruso G. Cytotoxic and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of a Sub-Toxic Concentration of Fluvastatin on OVCAR3 Ovarian Cancer Cells After its Optimized Formulation to Melittin Nano-Conjugates. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:642171. [PMID: 33633571 PMCID: PMC7901935 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.642171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluvastatin (FLV) is a hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor often used to lower total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and for the prevention of adverse cardiovascular events. This drug as well as melittin (MEL), the major component of honeybee venom (Apis mellifera), has shown antineoplastic activity, then representing promising approaches for cancer therapy. However, adverse effects related to the use of FLV and MEL have been reported and very few studies have been carried out to obtain an optimized formulation allowing for combining the two drugs and then maximizing the anticancer activity, then minimizing the needed dosage. In the present study, an optimized formulation in terms of minimized particle size and maximized zeta potential was investigated for its cytotoxic potential in human OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells. FLV-MEL nano-conjugates, containing a sub-toxic concentration of drug, demonstrated an improved cytotoxic potential (IC50 = 2.5 µM), about 18-fold lower, compared to the free drug (IC50 = 45.7 µM). Cell cycle analysis studies demonstrated the significant inhibition of the OVCAR3 cells proliferation exerted by FLV-MEL nano-conjugates compared to all the other treatments, with a higher percentage of cells accumulating on G2/M and pre-G1 phases, paralleled by lower percentage of cells in G0/G1 and S phases. The synergistic antineoplastic activity of FLV and MEL combined in the optimized formula was also showed by the marked pronecrotic and pro-apoptotic activities, the latter mediated by the modulation of BAX/BCL-2 ratio in favor of BAX. Our optimized FLV-MEL formulation might therefore represents a novel path for the development of specific and more effective antineoplastic drugs directed against ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa M Badr-Eldin
- Department of Pharmaceutics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nabil A Alhakamy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Advanced Drug Delivery Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Mohamed Saeed Tamer Chair for Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Usama A Fahmy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama A A Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Advanced Drug Delivery Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Mohamed Saeed Tamer Chair for Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hani Z Asfour
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Hibah M Aldawsari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Y Rizg
- Department of Pharmaceutics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Advanced Drug Delivery Research Group, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Center of Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael A Mahdi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel F Alghaith
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan Alshehri
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Almaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy.,Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caruso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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3
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On the immunoregulatory role of statins in multiple sclerosis: the effects on Th17 cells. Immunol Res 2019; 67:310-324. [DOI: 10.1007/s12026-019-09089-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Azor MH, dos Santos JC, Futata EA, de Brito CA, Maruta CW, Rivitti EA, Ponttilo A, da Silva Duarte AJ, Sato MN. WITHDRAWN: Pleiotropic statin effects on regulatory and proinflammatory factors in chronic idiopathic urticaria. Immunobiology 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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5
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Yeganeh B, Wiechec E, Ande SR, Sharma P, Moghadam AR, Post M, Freed DH, Hashemi M, Shojaei S, Zeki AA, Ghavami S. Targeting the mevalonate cascade as a new therapeutic approach in heart disease, cancer and pulmonary disease. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 143:87-110. [PMID: 24582968 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, also known as the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, is an essential cellular pathway that is involved in diverse cell functions. The enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (HMGCR) is the rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis and catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to MVA. Given its role in cholesterol and isoprenoid biosynthesis, the regulation of HMGCR has been intensely investigated. Because all cells require a steady supply of MVA, both the sterol (i.e. cholesterol) and non-sterol (i.e. isoprenoid) products of MVA metabolism exert coordinated feedback regulation on HMGCR through different mechanisms. The proper functioning of HMGCR as the proximal enzyme in the MVA pathway is essential under both normal physiologic conditions and in many diseases given its role in cell cycle pathways and cell proliferation, cholesterol biosynthesis and metabolism, cell cytoskeletal dynamics and stability, cell membrane structure and fluidity, mitochondrial function, proliferation, and cell fate. The blockbuster statin drugs ('statins') directly bind to and inhibit HMGCR, and their use for the past thirty years has revolutionized the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular diseases, in particular coronary heart disease. Initially thought to exert their effects through cholesterol reduction, recent evidence indicates that statins also have pleiotropic immunomodulatory properties independent of cholesterol lowering. In this review we will focus on the therapeutic applications and mechanisms involved in the MVA cascade including Rho GTPase and Rho kinase (ROCK) signaling, statin inhibition of HMGCR, geranylgeranyltransferase (GGTase) inhibition, and farnesyltransferase (FTase) inhibition in cardiovascular disease, pulmonary diseases (e.g. asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)), and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Yeganeh
- Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Department of Physiology & Experimental Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Emilia Wiechec
- Dept. Clinical & Experimental Medicine, Division of Cell Biology & Integrative Regenerative Med. Center (IGEN), Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Sudharsana R Ande
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Pawan Sharma
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, 4C46 HRIC, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Adel Rezaei Moghadam
- Scientific Association of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran; Young Researchers and Elite Club, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Martin Post
- Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Department of Physiology & Experimental Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Darren H Freed
- Department of Physiology, St. Boniface Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Mohammad Hashemi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Shahla Shojaei
- Department of Biochemistry, Recombinant Protein Laboratory, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir A Zeki
- U.C. Davis, School of Medicine, U.C. Davis Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Center for Comparative Respiratory Biology & Medicine, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, St. Boniface Research Centre, Manitoba Institute of Child Health, Biology of Breathing Theme, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
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Wood WG, Igbavboa U, Muller WE, Eckert GP. Statins, Bcl-2, and apoptosis: cell death or cell protection? Mol Neurobiol 2013; 48:308-14. [PMID: 23821030 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-013-8496-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Statins have proven their effectiveness in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. This class of drugs has also attracted attention as a potential treatment for dissimilar diseases such as certain types of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. What appears to be a contradiction is that, in the case of cancer, it has been suggested that statins increase apoptosis and alter levels of Bcl-2 family members (e.g., reduce Bcl-2 and increase Bax), whereas studies mainly using noncancerous cells report opposite effects. This review examined studies reporting on the effects of statins on Bcl-2 family members, apoptosis, cell death, and cell protection. Much, but not all, of the evidence supporting the pro-apoptotic effects of statins is based on data in cancer cell lines and the use of relatively high drug concentrations. Studies indicating an anti-apoptotic effect of statins are fewer in number and generally used much lower drug concentrations and normal cells. Those conclusions are not definitive, and certainly, there is a need for additional research to determine if statin repositioning is justified for noncardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Gibson Wood
- Department of Pharmacology, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Medical Center, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA,
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8
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Azor MH, dos Santos JC, Futata EA, de Brito CA, Maruta CW, Rivitti EA, da Silva Duarte AJ, Sato MN. Statin effects on regulatory and proinflammatory factors in chronic idiopathic urticaria. Clin Exp Immunol 2011; 166:291-8. [PMID: 21985375 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2011.04473.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunological dysfunction has been described to occur in chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), most notably in association with an inflammatory process. Some pharmacological agents as statins--drugs used in hypercholesterolaemia--display a broad effect on the immune response and thus should be tested in vitro in CIU. Our main objectives were to evaluate the effects of statins on the innate and adaptive immune response in CIU. Simvastatin or lovastatin have markedly inhibited the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proliferative response induced by T and B cell mitogens, superantigen or recall antigen. Simvastatin arrested phytohaemaglutinin (PHA)-induced T cells at the G0/G1 phase, inhibiting T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-17A cytokine secretion in both patients and healthy control groups. Up-regulation of suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) mRNA expression in PHA-stimulated PBMCs from CIU patients was not modified by simvastatin, in contrast to the enhancing effect in the control group. Statin exhibited a less efficient inhibition effect on cytokine production [IL-6 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α] induced by Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, to which a statin preincubation step was required. Furthermore, statin did not affect the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α secretion by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PBMC or CD14+ cells in CIU patients. In addition, LPS-activated PBMC from CIU patients showed impaired indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) mRNA expression compared to healthy control, which remained at decreased levels with statin treatment. Statins exhibited a marked down-regulatory effect in T cell functions, but were not able to control TLR-4 activation in CIU patients. The unbalanced regulatory SOCS3 and IDO expressions in CIU may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Azor
- Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies (LIM-56), Department of Dermatology, Medical School of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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9
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Mast cell death induced by 24(S),25-epoxycholesterol. Exp Cell Res 2010; 316:3272-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2010.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Revised: 08/11/2010] [Accepted: 09/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Zeki AA, Franzi L, Last J, Kenyon NJ. Simvastatin inhibits airway hyperreactivity: implications for the mevalonate pathway and beyond. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009; 180:731-40. [PMID: 19608720 PMCID: PMC2778150 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200901-0018oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2009] [Accepted: 07/15/2009] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Statin use has been linked to improved lung health in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We hypothesize that statins inhibit allergic airway inflammation and reduce airway hyperreactivity via a mevalonate-dependent mechanism. OBJECTIVES To determine whether simvastatin attenuates airway inflammation and improves lung physiology by mevalonate pathway inhibition. METHODS BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin over 4 weeks and exposed to 1% ovalbumin aerosol over 2 weeks. Simvastatin (40 mg/kg) or simvastatin plus mevalonate (20 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally before each ovalbumin exposure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Simvastatin reduced total lung lavage leukocytes, eosinophils, and macrophages (P < 0.05) in the ovalbumin-exposed mice. Cotreatment with mevalonate, in addition to simvastatin, reversed the antiinflammatory effects seen with simvastatin alone (P < 0.05). Lung lavage IL-4, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were all reduced by treatment with simvastatin (P < 0.05). Simvastatin treatment before methacholine bronchial challenge increased lung compliance and reduced airway hyperreactivity (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Simvastatin attenuates allergic airway inflammation, inhibits key helper T cell type 1 and 2 chemokines, and improves lung physiology in a mouse model of asthma. The mevalonate pathway appears to modulate allergic airway inflammation, while the beneficial effects of simvastatin on lung compliance and airway hyperreactivity may be independent of the mevalonate pathway. Simvastatin and similar agents that modulate the mevalonate pathway may prove to be treatments for inflammatory airway diseases, such as asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir A. Zeki
- Center for Comparative Respiratory Biology and Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Lisa Franzi
- Center for Comparative Respiratory Biology and Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Jerold Last
- Center for Comparative Respiratory Biology and Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Nicholas J. Kenyon
- Center for Comparative Respiratory Biology and Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California
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Fildes JE, Shaw SM, Williams SG, Yonan N. Potential immunologic effects of statins in cancer following transplantation. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2009; 58:461-7. [PMID: 18523769 PMCID: PMC11030733 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-008-0541-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2008] [Accepted: 05/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are frequently used following organ transplantation and have well reported pleiotropic effects, including immunomodulation, which may be of benefit in preventing graft rejection. However, the immunomodulatory effects of statins on cell transformation and malignancy, combined with the immunologic processes and administration of immunosuppression are almost completely unknown. The administration of immunosuppression is well recognised as the main cause of cancer following transplantation, so the addition of an immunomodulatory agent should be associated with an increased incidence of cancer, as immune surveillance and response may be suppressed, allowing cellular transformation and proliferation combined with lack of recognition to occur. This hypothetical review attempts to delineate the mode of action of statins in terms of pro/anti-carcinogenic mechanisms, while considering graft rejection and the presence of immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Fildes
- The Transplant Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK.
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Salman H, Bergman M, Djaldetti M, Bessler H. Hydrophobic but not hydrophilic statins enhance phagocytosis and decrease apoptosis of human peripheral blood cells in vitro. Biomed Pharmacother 2008; 62:41-5. [PMID: 17768028 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2007.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2007] [Accepted: 07/18/2007] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The engulfing ability of phagocyting cells is related to the fluidity of the cell membrane that in turn depends on its chemical composition. Changes in membranal lipid content may increase or decrease membranal fluidity with a subsequent enhanced or impaired phagocytosis, respectively. Statins are recognized as potent inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis and therefore, are successfully administered to patients with hypercholesterolemia. Since it is considered that cholesterol affects cell function via changes in membrane composition, the present study was designed to examine the in vitro effect of three hydrophobic statins--atorvastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin, and a hydrophilic one--pravastatin, on the engulfing capacity, phagocytic index and apoptosis of peripheral blood phagocytes from healthy volunteers. Peripheral white blood cells obtained from 20 healthy normocholesterolemic individuals were incubated for 2h with 10 and 50 microM of the four statins and phagocytosis of fluorescent latex particles was detected by flow cytometry. Apoptosis was examined using annexin V and propidium iodide staining. An increase in the percentage of phagocyting cells was observed after incubation with 50 microM of lovastatin and simvastatin. On the other hand, all three hydrophobic statins induced a dose-dependent increase in the phagocytic index. The hydrophilic pravastatin did not affect phagocytosis, phagocytic index and apoptosis. All three hydrophobic statins at 50 microM exerted a slight, but significant decrease of apoptosis. The results suggest that the effect of hydrophobic statins on the engulfing capacity of human peripheral blood phagocytes and apoptosis is dependent on their dosage and physiochemical properties. This observation is an additional contribution to the statins' pleiotropic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hertzel Salman
- Department of Medicine C, Rabin Medical Center, Hasharon Hospital, the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 7 Keren Kayemet Street, Petah Tiqva, Israel
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Samson KTR, Minoguchi K, Tanaka A, Oda N, Yokoe T, Yamamoto Y, Yamamoto M, Ohta S, Adachi M. Inhibitory effects of fluvastatin on cytokine and chemokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with allergic asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 2006; 36:475-82. [PMID: 16630152 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02470.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Statins have anti-inflammatory effects on immune cells. OBJECTIVE To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of fluvastatin on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after allergen-specific and non-allergen-specific stimulation in patients with asthma and in healthy subjects. METHODS PBMCs from seven patients with asthma who showed elevated immunoglobulin (Ig)E to house dust mite were isolated and stimulated with Dermatofagoides farinae, purified protein derivative, and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) in the presence or absence of fluvastatin. PBMCs from seven healthy subjects were stimulated with PHA. The effects of fluvastatin on cell proliferation and production of cytokines (interferon [IFN]-gamma and interleukin [IL]-5) and chemokines (chemokine CXC motif, ligand [CXCL10], and CC chemokine ligand [CCL17]) were measured. Migration of T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cell lines was also investigated. The expression of CXCR3 and CCR4 was analysed with flow cytometry. Steroid-insensitive PBMCs induced by preculture with IL-2 and IL-4 were also evaluated. Some experiments were performed in the presence of mevalonic acid. RESULTS Fluvastatin inhibited the proliferation of PBMCs and decreased the production of IL-5, IFN-gamma, CCL17, and CXCL10 after allergen-specific and non-allergen-specific stimulation; all these effects, except for decreased CXCL10 production, were partially reversed by mevalonic acid. Culture supernatants obtained in the presence of fluvastatin prevented the migration of Th1 and Th2 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, CCR4 and CXCR3 expression on CD4(+) T cells was not affected by the presence of fluvastatin. Fluvastatin inhibited the proliferative response of steroid-insensitive PBMCs to phytohaemagglutinin. CONCLUSION Fluvastatin has inhibitory effects on cytokine and chemokine production, and thus might be used as a potential therapeutic agent in severe asthma.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Antigens, Dermatophagoides/immunology
- Asthma/drug therapy
- Asthma/immunology
- Cell Division/immunology
- Cell Line
- Cell Survival/immunology
- Chemokine CCL17
- Chemokine CXCL10
- Chemokines/immunology
- Chemokines, CC/immunology
- Chemokines, CXC/immunology
- Cytokines/immunology
- Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
- Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated/immunology
- Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated/therapeutic use
- Fluvastatin
- Humans
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/immunology
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Indoles/immunology
- Indoles/therapeutic use
- Interferon-gamma/immunology
- Interleukin-5/immunology
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology
- Mevalonic Acid/immunology
- Phytohemagglutinins/immunology
- Receptors, CCR4
- Receptors, CXCR3
- Receptors, Chemokine/immunology
- Th1 Cells/immunology
- Th2 Cells/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- K T R Samson
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Tristano AG, Fuller K. Immunomodulatory effects of statins and autoimmune rheumatic diseases: novel intracellular mechanism involved. Int Immunopharmacol 2006; 6:1833-46. [PMID: 17052674 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2006.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2006] [Revised: 07/25/2006] [Accepted: 08/03/2006] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, known as statins, are the most commonly prescribed agents for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. However, the effects of statins may extend beyond their influences on serum cholesterol levels resulting in cholesterol-independent or pleiotropic effects. Clinical, animal and in vitro studies suggest that statins have additional clinical uses because of their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, in part due to their capacity to interfere with the mevalonate pathway and inhibit prenylation of Rho family GTPases. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of statins. In base to all these information, we suggest that statins could have similar inhibitory effects on MAPKs pathways in cells from RA patients, including osteoclasts and fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio G Tristano
- Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences Department, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA.
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