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Vitiello A, Ferrara F. Plausible Positive Effects of Statins in COVID-19 Patient. Cardiovasc Toxicol 2021; 21:781-789. [PMID: 34255300 PMCID: PMC8275916 DOI: 10.1007/s12012-021-09674-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, there has been much discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of ongoing chronic drug therapies in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. These discussions include also statins treatment. The statins are among the most widely used drugs in the global population. Statins aim to lower cholesterol, which is essential for many biological processes but can lead to heart disease if levels are too high; however, also the pleiotropic effects of statins are well known. So could the anti-inflammatory or the potential antiviral effects of statins be helpful in avoiding extreme inflammation and severity in COVID-19? To date, there are conflicting opinions on the effects of statins in the course of COVID-19 infection. The aim of this article is to describe the molecular and pharmacological basis of the pleiotropic effects of statins that could be more involved in the fight against COVID-19 infection and to investigate the current epidemiological evidence in the literature on the current and important topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Vitiello
- Clinical Pharmacologist, Pharmaceutical Department, Usl Umbria 1, A.Migliorati street, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferrara
- Hospital Pharmacist Manager, Pharmaceutical Department, Usl Umbria 1, A.Migliorati street, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
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2
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Ferrara F, Vitiello A. The advantages of drug treatment with statins in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2021; 133:958-965. [PMID: 33779831 PMCID: PMC8006129 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-021-01845-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a status of global pandemic caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19). The pandemic is currently underway, and to date has caused approximately 2.42 million deaths worldwide. The first vaccines have recently been licensed; however, research continues to identify therapeutic agents to prevent serious complications, such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anticoagulant or antiviral agents authorized for other therapeutic indications. Epidemiological evidence shows that advanced age and comorbidities, such as diabetes, heart disease, and dyslipidemia may represent COVID-19 risk factors. In particular, in patients with hypercholesterolemia treated with statins, it is recommended that treatment should not be discontinued if COVID-19 infection occurs. The pleiotropic effects of statins are well known. In this brief review, we propose that the use of statins can potentially protect against SARS-CoV-2-induced tissue damage and improve lung function in COVID-19 patients through several pleiotropic effects. Pleiotropic effects of statins that may be a significant benefit in patients with hypercholesterolemia treated with statins and COVID-19 positive. Recent evidence shows promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ferrara
- Pharmaceutical department, Hospital Pharmacist Manager, Usl Umbria 1, A. Migliorati street, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Antonio Vitiello
- Pharmaceutical department, Clinical Pharmacologist, Usl Umbria 1, A. Migliorati street, 06132, Perugia, Italy
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3
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Statins reduce vascular inflammation in atherogenesis: A review of underlying molecular mechanisms. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2020; 122:105735. [PMID: 32126319 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2020.105735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation enhances the detrimental role of dyslipidaemia during atherogenesis. Statins are among the most effective anti-atherosclerotic medications, being able to impact on both cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although these molecules have been first described as lipid-lowering medications, several lines of evidence suggest additional benefits through their "pleiotropic" anti-atherosclerotic activities. Specifically, statins can modulate vascular atherosclerotic inflammation by directly improving functions of endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, platelets, and immune cells. Here, we discuss basic and clinical evidence to provide an update on the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective anti-inflammatory role of statins in atherogenesis.
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PRESERVATION OF ERECTILE FUNCTION BY STATINS IN A RAT MODEL OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA. JOURNAL OF MEN'S HEALTH 2020. [DOI: 10.15586/jomh.v16i1.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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5
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Liberale L, Carbone F, Camici GG, Montecucco F. IL-1β and Statin Treatment in Patients with Myocardial Infarction and Diabetic Cardiomyopathy. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8111764. [PMID: 31652822 PMCID: PMC6912287 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8111764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Statins are effective lipid-lowering drugs with a good safety profile that have become, over the years, the first-line therapy for patients with dyslipidemia and a real cornerstone of cardiovascular (CV) preventive therapy. Thanks to both cholesterol-related and “pleiotropic” effects, statins have a beneficial impact against CV diseases. In particular, by reducing lipids and inflammation statins, they can influence the pathogenesis of both myocardial infarction and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Among inflammatory mediators involved in these diseases, interleukin (IL)-1β is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that recently been shown to be an effective target in secondary prevention of CV events. Statins are largely prescribed to patients with myocardial infarction and diabetes, but their effects on IL-1β synthesis and release remain to be fully characterized. Of interest, preliminary studies even report IL-1β secretion to rise after treatment with statins, with a potential impact on the inflammatory microenvironment and glycemic control. Here, we will summarize evidence of the role of statins in the prevention and treatment of myocardial infarction and diabetic cardiomyopathy. In accordance with the dual lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effect of these drugs and in light of the important results achieved by IL-1β inhibition through canakinumab in CV secondary prevention, we will dissect the current evidence linking statins with IL-1β and outline the possible benefits of a potential double treatment with statins and canakinumab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Liberale
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zürich, Schlieren, 8092, Switzerland.
- First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
| | - Federico Carbone
- First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa-Italian Cardiovascular Network, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
| | - Giovanni G Camici
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zürich, Schlieren, 8092, Switzerland.
- University Heart Center, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Research and Education, University Hospital Zurich, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Fabrizio Montecucco
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa-Italian Cardiovascular Network, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
- First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
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6
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Rahal EA, Constantin WN, Zeidan N, Abdelnoor AM. Atorvastatin Reduces the Survival of Candida albicans-Infected BALB/c Mice. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1474. [PMID: 26732740 PMCID: PMC4686692 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several antimicrobial and immunosuppressive effects have been attributed to the statins class of antihyperlipidemia drugs. Several studies have also indicated clinical benefits for the use of statins during the management of infections and sepsis. To assess whether the immunosuppressive effects of statins outweigh their antimicrobial effects during a fungal infection BALB/c mice were administered Candida albicans via intraperitoneal injection. These mice received either a co-injection of atorvastatin along with the infection, were treated with one injection of atorvastatin per day for 5 days prior to infection, or were infected and then treated with one injection of atorvastatin for 5 days afterward. Groups that received C. albicans without being treated with atorvastatin were included as controls along with a group that only received phosphate-buffered saline. Mouse survival was then monitored; additionally, serum IFN-γ and IL-4 levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay to assess pro-inflammatory and pro-humoral responses, respectively. Atorvastatin administration was capable of altering mouse survival rate with the lowest rate (11.1%) being observed in the group treated for 5 days prior to infection with atorvastatin compared to mice infected but not treated with atorvastatin (44.4%). IFN-γ and IL-4 levels were depressed in all C. albicans-infected groups treated with atorvastatin. The possibility that statin administration may suppress or modulate particular components of the immune system during an infection in man should be further explored in large randomized controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias A Rahal
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Wissam N Constantin
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nabil Zeidan
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Alexander M Abdelnoor
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
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Mullen L, Ferdjani J, Sacre S. Simvastatin Inhibits Toll-like Receptor 8 (TLR8) Signaling in Primary Human Monocytes and Spontaneous Tumor Necrosis Factor Production from Rheumatoid Synovial Membrane Cultures. Mol Med 2015; 21:726-734. [PMID: 26322850 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2015.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simvastatin has been shown to have antiinflammatory effects that are independent of its serum cholesterol lowering action, but the mechanisms by which these antiinflammatory effects are mediated have not been elucidated. To explore the mechanism involved, the effect of simvastatin on toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in primary human monocytes was investigated. A short pretreatment with simvastatin dose-dependently inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in response to TLR8 activation (but not TLR2, -4 or -5). Statins are known inhibitors of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, but, intriguingly, TLR8 inhibition could not be reversed by addition of mevalonate or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, downstream products of cholesterol biosynthesis. TLR8 signaling was examined in HEK 293 cells stably expressing TLR8, where simvastatin inhibited I kappa B kinase (IKK)α/β phosphorylation and subsequent nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation without affecting the pathway to activating protein-1 (AP-1). Because simvastatin has been reported to have antiinflammatory effects in RA patients and TLR8 signaling contributes to TNF production in human RA synovial tissue in culture, simvastatin was tested in these cultures. Simvastatin significantly inhibited the spontaneous release of TNF in this model, which was not reversed by mevalonate. Together, these results demonstrate a hitherto unrecognized mechanism of simvastatin inhibition of TLR8 signaling that may in part explain its beneficial antiinflammatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Mullen
- Brighton Musculoskeletal Research Centre and School of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Trafford Centre, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Ferdjani
- Brighton Musculoskeletal Research Centre and School of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Trafford Centre, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Sacre
- Brighton Musculoskeletal Research Centre and School of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Trafford Centre, Brighton, United Kingdom
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Novkovic T, Mittmann T, Manahan-Vaughan D. BDNF contributes to the facilitation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning enabled by environmental enrichment. Hippocampus 2014; 25:1-15. [PMID: 25112659 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sensory, motor, and cognitive stimuli, resulting from interactions with the environment, play a key role in optimizing and modifying the neuronal circuitry required for normal brain function. An experimental animal model for this phenomenon comprises environmental enrichment (EE) in rodents. EE causes profound changes in neuronal and signaling levels of excitation and plasticity throughout the entire central nervous system and the hippocampus is particularly affected. The mechanisms underlying these changes are not yet fully understood. As brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) supports hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), we explored whether it participates in the facilitation of synaptic plasticity and hippocampus-dependent learning that occurs following EE. In the absence of EE, LTP elicited by high-frequency stimulation was equivalent in wildtype mice and heterozygous BDNF(+/-) siblings. LTP elicited by theta-burst stimulation in BDNF(+/-) mice was less than in wildtypes. Long-term depression (LTD) was also impaired. EE for three weeks, beginning after weaning, improved hippocampal LTP in both wildtype and transgenic animals, with LTP in transgenics achieving levels seen in wildtypes in the absence of EE. Object recognition memory was evident in wildtypes 24 h and 7 days after initial object exposure. EE improved memory performance in wildtypes 24 h but not 7 days after initial exposure. BDNF(+/-) mice in the absence of EE showed impaired memory 7 days after initial object exposure that was restored by EE. Western blotting revealed increased levels of BDNF, but not proBDNF, among both EE cohorts. These data support that BDNF plays an intrinsic role in improvements of synaptic plasticity and cognition that occur in EE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Novkovic
- Medical Faculty, Department of Neurophysiology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44780, Bochum, Germany; International Graduate School of Neuroscience, 44780 Bochum, Germany, 44780, Bochum, Germany
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Fukamachi T, Wang X, Mochizuki Y, Maruyama C, Saito H, Kobayashi H. Acidic environments enhance the inhibitory effect of statins on proliferation of synovial cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2013; 17:148-53. [PMID: 23769886 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2013.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 06/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Many previous studies in animal models and clinical investigations have suggested that statins are useful chemotherapeutics against rheumatoid arthritis, whereas in vitro experiments using synovial cell lines showed no significant effect of statins on cell proliferation until now. Since synovial fluid in rheumatoid joint knee was found to be acidic, we examined the effect of statins on human synovial sarcoma cell line SW982 cells in acidic medium. Statins suppressed the proliferation of SW982 cells at pH6.7, while the suppression was very weak in pH7.5 medium. It was shown that the suppression was caused by the decrease in geranylgeranyl diphosphate, suggesting that a geranylgeranylated protein(s) has an essential role in cell proliferation of SW982 cells under acidic conditions. Our present data clearly implied that statins had high efficacy against SW982 cells in acidic medium whose pH is close to that of rheumatoid arthritis loci in patients. These results lead us to anticipate that screening of chemicals having high therapeutic efficacy in acidic medium promotes the development of new microenvironment-dependent medicines for chemotherapies against rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiko Fukamachi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
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Rahal EA, Chakhtoura M, Dargham RA, Khauli RB, Medawar W, Abdelnoor AM. The impact of prophylactic antiviral agents and statin administration on graft longevity in kidney allograft recipients. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2012; 34:763-7. [PMID: 22292901 DOI: 10.3109/08923973.2011.653648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT In an earlier study, we compared the duration of kidney graft survival between two groups of recipients; one on triple (cyclosporine, prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil) and the other on quadruple (cyclosporine, prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, and sirolimus) immunosuppressive therapy. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the impact of antiviral and statin therapy on graft longevity. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred five kidney allograft recipients were preoperatively assessed for serological markers of infection with various viral agents. All patients were on a prophylactic antiviral regimen of acyclovir and gancyclovir. Seventeen patients were on a statin. Patients were monitored for viral infections and graft rejection or loss for period of 3 years posttransplantation. RESULTS We detected a high preoperative prevalence rate of IgG immunoglobulins versus the latency-establishing Herpesviridae viruses. Two patients who were preoperatively IgG positive for CMV had cytomegalovirus disease after transplantation. One patient who was preoperatively IgG positive for VZV had shingles after the surgery. No other confirmed viral infections were reported. Thirteen of 88 patients (14.77%) whose treatment regimen did not include a statin suffered a rejection episode or lost the graft whereas 1 of 17 patients (5.88%) on a statin had a rejection episode. CONCLUSIONS The low rate of viral infections observed in our study population supports the utility of prophylactic administration of antiviral agents to transplant recipients. However, statins seem to have a protective effect on graft longevity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.361, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.044-2.957).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias A Rahal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Ghavami S, Mutawe MM, Schaafsma D, Yeganeh B, Unruh H, Klonisch T, Halayko AJ. Geranylgeranyl transferase 1 modulates autophagy and apoptosis in human airway smooth muscle. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2011; 302:L420-8. [PMID: 22160308 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00312.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Geranylgeranyl transferase 1 (GGT1) is involved in the posttranslational prenylation of signaling proteins, such as small GTPases. We have shown that blocking the formation of isoprenoids with statins regulates survival of human lung mesenchymal cells; thus, we tested the hypothesis that GGT1 may specifically modulate programmed cell death pathways in these cells. To this end, human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells were treated with the selective GGT1 inhibitor GGTi-298. Apoptosis was seen using assays for cellular DNA content and caspase activation. Induction of autophagy was observed using transmission electron microscopy, immunoblotting for LC3 lipidation and Atg5-12 complex content, and confocal microscopy to detect formation of lysosome-localized LC3 punctae. Notably, GGT1 inhibition induced expression of p53-dependent proteins, p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (Noxa), and damage-regulated autophagy modulator (DRAM), this was inhibited by the p53 transcriptional activation inhibitor cyclic-pifithrin-α. Inhibition of autophagy with bafilomycin-A1 or short-hairpin RNA silencing of Atg7 substantially augmented GGTi-298-induced apoptosis. Overall, we demonstrate for the first time that pharmacological inhibition of GGT1 induces simultaneous p53-dependent apoptosis and autophagy in HASM. Moreover, autophagy regulates apoptosis induction. Thus, our findings identify GGT1 as a key regulator of HASM cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Physiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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Edwards DC, McKinnon KM, Fenizia C, Jung KJ, Brady JN, Pise-Masison CA. Inhibition of geranylgeranyl transferase-I decreases cell viability of HTLV-1-transformed cells. Viruses 2011; 3:1815-35. [PMID: 22069517 PMCID: PMC3205383 DOI: 10.3390/v3101815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2011] [Accepted: 09/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), an aggressive and highly chemoresistant malignancy. Rho family GTPases regulate multiple signaling pathways in tumorigenesis: cytoskeletal organization, transcription, cell cycle progression, and cell proliferation. Geranylgeranylation of Rho family GTPases is essential for cell membrane localization and activation of these proteins. It is currently unknown whether HTLV-1-transformed cells are preferentially sensitive to geranylgeranylation inhibitors, such as GGTI-298. In this report, we demonstrate that GGTI-298 decreased cell viability and induced G2/M phase accumulation of HTLV-1-transformed cells, independent of p53 reactivation. HTLV-1-LTR transcriptional activity was inhibited and Tax protein levels decreased following treatment with GGTI-298. Furthermore, GGTI-298 decreased activation of NF-κB, a downstream target of Rho family GTPases. These studies suggest that protein geranylgeranylation contributes to dysregulation of cell survival pathways in HTLV-1-transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin C. Edwards
- Virus Tumor Biology Section, Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; E-Mails: (D.C.E.); (K.-J.J.)
| | - Katherine M. McKinnon
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; E-Mails: (K.M.M.); (C.F.)
| | - Claudio Fenizia
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; E-Mails: (K.M.M.); (C.F.)
| | - Kyung-Jin Jung
- Virus Tumor Biology Section, Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; E-Mails: (D.C.E.); (K.-J.J.)
| | - John N. Brady
- Virus Tumor Biology Section, Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; E-Mails: (D.C.E.); (K.-J.J.)
| | - Cynthia A. Pise-Masison
- Virus Tumor Biology Section, Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; E-Mails: (D.C.E.); (K.-J.J.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +1-301-435-2499; Fax: +1-301-496-4951
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Kirmizis D, Chatzidimitriou D. Pleiotropic vasoprotective effects of statins: the chicken or the egg? Drug Des Devel Ther 2009; 3:191-204. [PMID: 19920934 PMCID: PMC2769241 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s5407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase inhibitors) are the most commonly used lipid-lowering drugs. Their main lipid-lowering effect is achieved by an increase in the expression of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol receptors associated with inhibition of cholesterol synthesis through inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase - the first and rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis. However, beyond cholesterol synthesis inhibition, inhibition of the HMG-CoA reductase affects as well the synthesis of other molecules with significant roles in different, yet often intercalating, metabolic pathways. On this basis, and supported by an increasing series of advocating epidemiological and experimental data, an extended dialogue has been established over the last few years regarding the nonlipid or "pleiotropic" actions of statins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kirmizis
- Aristotle University, Karavangeli 19 Str., Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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14
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Gauthaman K, Manasi N, Bongso A. Statins inhibit the growth of variant human embryonic stem cells and cancer cells in vitro but not normal human embryonic stem cells. Br J Pharmacol 2009; 157:962-73. [PMID: 19438511 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00241.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Statins inhibit proliferation of various human cancer cell lines in vitro. As human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) possess neoplastic-like properties we have evaluated the role of various statins on karyotypically normal hESCs (HES3 and BG01), abnormal hESCs (BG01V) and breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) to evaluate whether the mode of action of the statins was via a stemness pathway. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH All cell lines were treated with simvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin and mevastatin (1 micromol x L(-1) to 20 micromol x L(-1)) up to 7 days and their effects on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and pluripotency studied. KEY RESULTS All four statins did not inhibit HES3 and BG01 proliferation, but BG01V and MCF-7 were inhibited by simvastatin, lovastatin and mevastatin. These inhibitory effects were reversed by the endogenous isoprenoids, farnesylpyrophosphate and geranylgeranylpyrophosphate. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labelling and cell cycle assay confirmed apoptosis in BG01V and MCF-7. Stem cell surface markers [stage-specific embryonic antigen-4, tumour rejection antigen-1-81, octamer-4 (OCT-4)] were expressed in HES3 and BG01, but not in BG01V cells, even after prolonged treatment with simvastatin. In BG01V and MCF-7, the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein genes were up-regulated, while the antiapoptotic BCL2 and SURVIVIN genes were down-regulated. Expression of the stemness-related genes namely, the growth differentiation factor-3, NANOG and OCT-4 was decreased in BG01V compared with BG01 and HES3. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Normal hESCs were resistant to prolonged exposure to statins over a range of doses, compared with BG01V and MCF-7, probably because of genetic and behavioural differences. The statins not only have anti-cancer properties but can suppress abnormal hESCs thus promoting growth of normal hESCs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Gauthaman
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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15
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The protective effect of simvastatin against low dose streptozotocin induced type 1 diabetes in mice is independent of inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 379:1076-9. [PMID: 19150339 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2008] [Accepted: 01/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Besides a cholesterol-lowering effect, simvastatin possesses anti-inflammatory properties attributed to inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and/or direct binding to, and inhibition of, the integrin lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1). We have shown that simvastatin protects against multiple low dose streptozotocin (MLDS) induced type 1 diabetes in mice. Presently, we examined if this effect could be abolished by co-administration of mevalonic acid, thus determining if the protective effect is dependent or independent of inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase. Mevalonic acid did not affect the protective effect of simvastatin against MLDS diabetes. Moreover, spleens from these mice did not show any signs of toxic side-effects, thus excluding the possibility that the protective effect is secondary to a general inflammatory response. We suggest that simvastatin's protective effect mainly is independent of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition. This implies that inhibition of LFA-1 activation is important for the protective effect exerted by simvastatin.
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Rao PV, Peterson YK, Inoue T, Casey PJ. Effects of pharmacologic inhibition of protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I on aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular meshwork. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2008; 49:2464-71. [PMID: 18316706 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.07-1639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the effects of inhibition of protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I (GGTase-I), which isoprenylates so-called CaaX proteins, including the GTP-binding proteins such as Rho GTPases and the betagamma subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins, on aqueous humor outflow and trabecular meshwork cytoskeletal integrity. METHODS A selective small molecular inhibitor of GGTase-I, GGTI-DU40, was tested in this study to investigate its effects on actin cytoskeletal integrity, cell adhesions, cell-cell junctions, myosin II phosphosphorylation, and membrane localization of GTP-binding proteins in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, using immunofluorescence detection and immunoblotting analysis. The effects of GGTI-DU40 on aqueous humor outflow were determined using organ-cultured, perfused anterior segments of porcine eyes. RESULTS In the TM cell lysates, GGTI-DU40 was confirmed to inhibit GGTase-I activity in a dose-dependent manner. TM cells treated with GGTI-DU40 displayed dose-dependent changes in cell morphology and reversible decreases in actin stress fibers, focal adhesions, and adherens junctions. Myosin light chain phosphorylation was decreased significantly, and membrane localization of isoprenylated small GTPases and Gbetagamma was impaired in drug-treated TM cells. Aqueous outflow facility was increased significantly in eyes perfused with GGTI-DU40. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that inhibition of geranylgeranyl isoprenylation of CaaX proteins in the aqueous outflow pathway increases aqueous humor outflow, possibly through altered cell adhesive interactions and actin cytoskeletal organization in cells of the outflow pathway. This study indicates that the GGTase-I enzyme is a promising molecular target for lowering increased ocular pressure in glaucoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Vasantha Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
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17
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Yamato M, Watanabe T, Higuchi K, Taira K, Tanigawa T, Shiba M, Tominaga K, Fujiwara Y, Oshitani N, Takeuchi K, Arakawa T. Anti-inflammatory effects of pravastatin on Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis in mice. Dig Dis Sci 2007; 52:2833-9. [PMID: 17404852 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-006-9638-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2006] [Accepted: 10/01/2006] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pravastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, exerts anti-inflammatory effects via several mechanisms including induction of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). We investigated the effect of pravastatin on Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis in mice. Mice with or without H. pylori infection received intraperitoneal pravastatin daily for 1 week. Expression of eNOS mRNA and tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA and myeloperoxidase activity in gastric tissue was determined. Myeloperoxidase activity was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by pravastatin, with activity inhibited by 53.5 and 73.7% at doses of 0.3 and 1 mg/kg, respectively. At a dose of 1 mg/kg, pravastatin reduced the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA by 52.7%, while it did not affect eNOS expression. Pravastatin had no effects on these inflammatory parameters in uninfected mice. Pravastatin did not affect the viability of H. pylori. In conclusion, pravastatin exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on H. pylori-induced gastritis in mice without affecting eNOS expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Yamato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
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18
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Liesmaa I, Kokkonen JO, Kovanen PT, Lindstedt KA. Lovastatin induces the expression of bradykinin type 2 receptors in cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2007; 43:593-600. [PMID: 17900611 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2007.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2007] [Revised: 08/06/2007] [Accepted: 08/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cardioprotective bradykinin type-2 receptors (BK-2Rs) are downregulated in the myocardial endothelium of both human and rat failing hearts. Statins are cardioprotective drugs that reduce the level of plasma cholesterol but also exert cholesterol-independent pleiotropic effects. Here we examined the effect of lovastatin on BK-2R expression in cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells. The effect of lovastatin on the expression of BK receptors in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) was examined by real-time PCR, Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Lovastatin induced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in both BK-2R and BK-1R mRNA expression in the cultured HCAECs. Also, the number of functional BK-2Rs capable of inducing BK-mediated NO production and cGMP signaling was increased in the lovastatin-treated HCAECs. Mevalonate, the direct metabolite of HMG-CoA reductase, reversed the effect of lovastatin. Furthermore, lovastatin inhibited Rho activation and a selective inhibitor of Rho-associated kinases, Y-27632, induced a similar increase in BK-2R expression as lovastatin. In contrast, a specific inhibitor of COX-2, NS398, significantly inhibited the lovastatin-induced expression of BK-2Rs. Here we show for the first time that lovastatin induces the expression of BK-2Rs in cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells through a novel cholesterol-independent pleiotropic mechanism that involves RhoA kinase inhibition and COX-2 activation. Thus, reported beneficial effects of statins in cardiovascular diseases may be partly mediated by an increased expression of cardioprotective BK-2Rs in the endothelial cells of the coronary tree. Moreover, the use of COX-2 inhibitors may affect the level of endothelial BK-2Rs in a negative fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inka Liesmaa
- Wihuri Research Institute, Kalliolinnantie 4, FI-00140 Helsinki, Finland
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19
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Rydgren T, Vaarala O, Sandler S. Simvastatin protects against multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in CD-1 mice and recurrence of disease in nonobese diabetic mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2007; 323:180-5. [PMID: 17636011 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.107.122655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Statins are drugs well known for their cholesterol-lowering properties. Lately, statins have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties that might be attributed to inhibition of leukocyte adhesion and migration to sites of inflammation. Therefore, we have explored the effects of administration of simvastatin (30 mg/kg body weight given i.p. once a day, from days 4-14) on the development of diabetes induced by multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLDS) in CD-1 mice, a type 1 diabetes model. We found that treatment with simvastatin could delay and in certain mice fully protect against MLDS-induced diabetes. The protective effect could last up to 3 weeks after simvastatin treatment was ended. Morphological examinations of the pancreas suggest that simvastatin might reduce the islet inflammation. Based on experiments in vitro, using isolated pancreatic islets, we conclude that the protective effect of simvastatin is not mediated by a direct effect on streptozotocin action but rather the result of an immunomodulatory effect. This was reinforced by the finding that simvastatin treatment also prolonged islet function in the recurrence of disease model in diabetic nonobese diabetic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Rydgren
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Biomedicum, P.O. Box 571, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden.
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20
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Lee MH, Cho YS, Han YM. Simvastatin suppresses self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells by inhibiting RhoA geranylgeranylation. Stem Cells 2007; 25:1654-63. [PMID: 17464088 DOI: 10.1634/stemcells.2006-0753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, were originally developed to lower cholesterol. Their pleiotropic (or cholesterol-independent) effects at the cellular and molecular levels are highly related to numerous cellular functions, such as proliferation and differentiation. However, they are hardly studied in embryonic stem cells. In this study, we evaluated the effects of statins on mouse ESCs (J1, D3, and RW.4) to enhance our understanding of the molecular basis of ESC self-renewal. Treatment of ESCs with simvastatin, mevastatin, atorvastatin, or pravastatin induced morphological change and decreased cell proliferation. We observed that the use of simvastatin was most effective in all three ESCs. Loss of ESC self-renewal by simvastatin was determined by marked downregulation of ESC markers alkaline phosphatase, Oct4, Nanog, Rex-1, and SSEA-1. Simvastatin effects were selectively reversed by either mevalonate or its metabolite geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) but not by cholesterol or farnesyl pyrophosphate. These results suggest that simvastatin effects were mainly derived from depletion of intracellular pools of GGPP, the substrate required for the geranylgeranylation. Using this approach, we found that GGPP, a derivative of the mevalonate pathway, is critical for ESC self-renewal. Furthermore, we identified that simvastatin selectively blocked cytosol-to-membrane translocalization of RhoA small guanosine triphosphate-binding protein, known to be the major target for geranylgeranylation, and lowered the levels of Rho-kinase (ROCK)2 protein in ESCs. In addition, simvastatin downregulated the ROCK activity, and this effect was reversed by addition of GGPP. Our data suggest that simvastatin, independently of its cholesterol-lowering properties, impairs the ESC self-renewal by modulating RhoA/ROCK-dependent cell-signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Hee Lee
- Center for Development & Differentiation, KRIBB, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
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21
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Malfitano AM, Toruner GA, Gazzerro P, Laezza C, Husain S, Eletto D, Orlando P, De Petrocellis L, Terskiy A, Schwalb M, Vitale E, Bifulco M. Arvanil and anandamide up-regulate CD36 expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Immunol Lett 2007; 109:145-54. [PMID: 17360047 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2007.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2006] [Revised: 02/05/2007] [Accepted: 02/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In this study we analysed the regulation of gene expression by arvanil and anandamide in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to clarify their immunosuppressive properties. PBMCs were activated, leading to CD36 down regulation, that was normalized by arvanil and anandamide. We used microarray technology to identify a regulatory pattern associated with cell proliferation in the presence of both substances. CD3-CD28 stimulated PBMCs showed a pattern of up-regulated and down-regulated genes after treatment with these substances. We selected and analysed several genes chosen by their function in the regulation of cell proliferation. We showed a transcriptional control of the CD36 gene by arvanil and anandamide associated with an increased protein expression, thus suggesting a possible role of CD36 in anandamide and arvanil anti-inflammatory pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Malfitano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
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22
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Aarons CB, Cohen PA, Gower A, Reed KL, Leeman SE, Stucchi AF, Becker JM. Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) decrease postoperative adhesions by increasing peritoneal fibrinolytic activity. Ann Surg 2007; 245:176-84. [PMID: 17245169 PMCID: PMC1876993 DOI: 10.1097/01.sla.0000236627.07927.7c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to determine if statins reduce adhesion formation in vivo and to identify the mechanism of action in vitro. BACKGROUND : Intraperitoneal adhesions develop in up to 95% of patients following laparotomy. Adhesions are reduced by mechanisms that up-regulate fibrinolysis within the peritoneum. Statins promote fibrinolysis in the cardiovascular system and may play a role in the prevention of adhesions. METHODS Adhesions were induced in rats (n = 102) using our previously described ischemic button model. Rats received vehicle (controls), lovastatin (30 mg/kg), or atorvastatin (30 mg/kg) as a single intraperitoneal dose at the time of laparotomy. Animals were killed and adhesions were quantified at day 7. Peritoneal fluid and tissue were collected at day 1 to measure tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) by real-time PCR and ELISA. To assess the effects of statins on wound healing, burst pressures were measured in anastomoses of the colon. The effects of lovastatin on tPA and PAI-1 production were measured in vitro in human mesothelial cells (HMC) in the presence or absence of mevalonate (MVA), geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate (GGPP) and farnesyl-pyrophosphate (FPP), all intermediates in the cholesterol pathway downstream of HMG-CoA. The effect of a Rho protein inhibitor, exoenzyme C3 transferase, on tPA production was also determined. RESULTS Lovastatin and atorvastatin reduced adhesion formation by 26% and 58%, respectively (P < 0.05), without affecting anastomotic burst pressure. At 24 hours, tPA mRNA levels in peritoneal tissue and tPA activity in peritoneal fluid from lovastatin-treated animals were increased by 57% and 379%, respectively (P < 0.05), while PAI-1 levels were unchanged. HMC incubated with either lovastatin or atorvastatin showed concentration-dependent increases in tPA production and decreases in PAI-1 production (P < 0.05). These lovastatin-induced changes in tPA and PAI-1 production were significantly reversed by the addition of MVA, GGPP, and FPP. The Rho protein inhibitor increased tPA production and rescued tPA production from the inhibitory effect of GGPP. CONCLUSION These data suggest that statins administered within the peritoneum can up-regulate local fibrinolysis, while the in vitro studies show that this effect may be mediated, in part, by intermediates of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway that regulate Rho protein signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cary B Aarons
- Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston 02118, USA
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23
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Ferri N, Colombo G, Ferrandi C, Raines EW, Levkau B, Corsini A. Simvastatin reduces MMP1 expression in human smooth muscle cells cultured on polymerized collagen by inhibiting Rac1 activation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2007; 27:1043-9. [PMID: 17303772 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.107.139881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Activation of collagen receptors expressed by smooth muscle cells induces matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to interfere with integrin signaling, but their effects on collagen receptor-mediated MMP expression have not been investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS In the present study, we show that simvastatin (3 micromol/L) reduces MMP1 expression and secretion in human smooth muscle cells cultured on polymerized type I collagen by 39.9+/-11.2% and 36.0+/-2.3%, respectively. Reduced MMP1 protein levels correlate with a similar decrease in MMP1 promoter activity (-33.0+/-8.9%), MMP1 mRNA levels (-37.8+/-10.5%), and attenuation of smooth muscle cell collagen degradation (-34.2+/-6.1%). Mevalonate, and the isoprenoid derivative geranylgeraniol, precursors of geranylgeranylated proteins, completely prevent the inhibitory effect of simvastatin on MMP1. Moreover, the protein geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitor GGTI-286 significantly decreases MMP1 expression. Retroviral overexpression of dominant-negative mutants of geranylgeranylated Rac1 lead to a reduction of MMP1 protein (-50.4+/-5.4%) and mRNA levels (-97.9+/-1.0%), and knockdown of Rac1 by small interfering RNA downregulates MMP1 expression. Finally, simvastatin reduces GTP-bound Rac1 expression levels in smooth muscle cells cultured on polymerized collagen. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that simvastatin, by inhibiting Rac1 activity, reduces MMP1 expression and collagen degradation in human smooth muscle cells.
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MESH Headings
- Cells, Cultured
- Collagen/pharmacology
- Gene Expression/drug effects
- Humans
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Infant, Newborn
- Leucine/analogs & derivatives
- Leucine/pharmacology
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 1/biosynthesis
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 1/genetics
- Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
- Mevalonic Acid/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/enzymology
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- RNA, Messenger/drug effects
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Simvastatin/pharmacology
- rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/antagonists & inhibitors
- rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Ferri
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
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24
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Comparative evaluation of the effects of statins on human stem and cancer cells in vitro. Reprod Biomed Online 2007; 15:566-81. [DOI: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60390-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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25
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Schramm R, Menger MD, Harder Y, Schmits R, Adam O, Weitz-Schmidt G, Schäfers HJ. Statins inhibit lymphocyte homing to peripheral lymph nodes. Immunology 2006; 120:315-24. [PMID: 17140403 PMCID: PMC2265897 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2006.02505.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Lymphocyte homing to peripheral lymph nodes is governed by adhesion molecules, including lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1). Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors and exert anti-inflammatory effects, e.g. inhibition of LFA-1. It is still not known whether statin compounds are capable of inhibiting lymphocyte homing in vivo. We used a cervical lymph node preparation to study the effects of simvastatin on lymphocyte adhesion to high endothelial venules (HEVs) by means of intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVM). IVM revealed that firm adhesion of lymphocytes to HEV endothelium critically depends on the adhesive function of LFA-1. The number of firmly adherent lymphocytes was reduced by 58% in LFA-1-deficient mice (P < 0.05 versus wild-type controls). As in mutant mice, acute treatment with simvastatin (i.p. injection at 2 hr prior to IVM) inhibited the firm adhesion of lymphocytes to HEV endothelium of wild-type animals by 63% (P < 0.05 versus vehicle-treated wild-type controls). In addition, acute treatment with the synthetic statin-derivate LFA878 also reduced firm lymphocyte adhesion in HEVs by 63% (P > 0.05 versus placebo-treated controls). Histological analysis after a 10-day treatment with simvastatin showed reduced cellularity of cervical lymph nodes, as indicated by a reduction of the relative area of haematoxylin-stained cell nuclei in cervical lymph node cross-sections from 94 +/- 0% in vehicle-treated controls to 77 +/- 3% in simvastatin-treated mice (P < 0.05). We conclude that statin compounds are capable of inhibiting lymphocyte homing to murine peripheral lymph nodes in vivo. This may have novel implications for the treatment of adaptive immune responses, e.g. transplant rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Schramm
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Saarland, University Hospitals Homburg/Saar, Germany.
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26
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Peng X, Jin J, Giri S, Montes M, Sujkowski D, Tang Y, Smrtka J, Vollmer T, Singh I, Markovic-Plese S. Immunomodulatory effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase inhibitors, potential therapy for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol 2006; 178:130-9. [PMID: 16870268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2006.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2006] [Revised: 05/30/2006] [Accepted: 06/05/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study characterized immunomodulatory targets of statins in humans and their potential for treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RR MS). Statins inhibited the proliferative response of mononuclear cells. Simvastatin, the statin with the strongest antiproliferative effect, inhibited IFN-gamma-induced expression of MHC class II DR on monocytes and decreased their antigen presenting capacity. As for T lymphocytes, it inhibited their activation and expression of the Th1 lineage differentiation markers. Simvastatin inhibited IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-2 secretion, as well as the expression of T-bet, a transcription factor that regulates Th1 cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyan Peng
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, 40 Temple St., New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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27
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Ifergan I, Wosik K, Cayrol R, Kébir H, Auger C, Bernard M, Bouthillier A, Moumdjian R, Duquette P, Prat A. Statins reduce human blood-brain barrier permeability and restrict leukocyte migration: Relevance to multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 2006; 60:45-55. [PMID: 16729291 DOI: 10.1002/ana.20875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dysregulation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and transendothelial migration of immune cells are among the earliest central nervous system changes partaking in lesion formation in both multiple sclerosis (MS) and its early clinical form, the clinically isolated syndrome. Evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors within the central nervous system arose from studies demonstrating that statins improve clinical signs in the animal model of MS and reduce the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions in MS. METHODS We sought to describe the impact of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor treatment on the physiology and immunology of human BBB-derived endothelial cells (ECs). RESULTS We demonstrate that lovastatin and simvastatin induce a 50 to 60% reduction in the diffusion rates of bovine serum albumin and [(14)C]-sucrose across human BBB-ECs in vitro through abrogation of isoprenylation processes, but independent of the expression of the tight junction molecules occludin, VE-cadherin, JAM-1, zonula occluden-1, and zonula occluden-2. Simvastatin and lovastatin were equipotent in reducing BBB permeability in vitro, with median effective concentration (EC(50)) of 9.5 x 10(-8) and 1.0 x 10(-7)M, respectively. We further demonstrate that lovastatin and simvastatin treatment of BBB-ECs significantly restricts the migration of clinically isolated syndrome-derived and MS-derived monocytes and lymphocytes across the human BBB in vitro, through a specific reduction in the secretion of the chemokines monocyte chemotactic protein-1/CCL2 and interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10/CXCL10 by BBB-ECs. INTERPRETATION Our data parallel the previously reported magnetic resonance imaging-based radiological findings and suggest an effect of statins that could be beneficial in early MS, restricting the diffusion of molecular tracers and the migration of immune cells across the human BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igal Ifergan
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Center for Research on Brain Diseases, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montreal, CHUM Research Center, Quebec, Canada
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28
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Pirat A, Zeyneloglu P, Aldemir D, Yücel M, Ozen O, Candan S, Arslan G. Pretreatment with Simvastatin Reduces Lung Injury Related to Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rats. Anesth Analg 2006; 102:225-32. [PMID: 16368834 DOI: 10.1213/01.ane.0000189554.41095.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In this rat model study we evaluated whether pretreatment with simvastatin affects the severity of acute lung injury caused by intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Twenty-four animals were randomly allocated to three equal groups (sham, control, simvastatin). The simvastatin group was pretreated with simvastatin 10 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) for 3 days, whereas the other groups received placebo. The simvastatin and control groups underwent 60 min of superior mesenteric artery occlusion and 90 min of reperfusion. Compared with the simvastatin group, the control group exhibited significantly more severe intestinal I/R-induced acute lung injury, as indicated by lower Pao2 and oxygen saturation (P = 0.01 and P = 0.005, respectively) and higher mean values for neutrophil infiltration of the lungs (P = 0.003), total lung histopathologic injury score (P = 0.003), lung wet-to-dry weight ratio (P = 0.009), and lung-tissue malondialdehyde levels (P = 0.016). The control and simvastatin groups had similar serum levels and similar bronchoalveolar lavage fluid levels of cytokines (interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and P-selectin at all measurements, except for a significantly higher level of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid P-selectin in the control group (P = 0.006). Pretreatment with simvastatin reduces the severity of acute lung injury induced by intestinal I/R in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Pirat
- Department of Anesthesiology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
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29
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Jain MK, Ridker PM. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Statins: Clinical Evidence and Basic Mechanisms. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2005; 4:977-87. [PMID: 16341063 DOI: 10.1038/nrd1901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 675] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a key feature of vascular disease states such as atherosclerosis. Multiple clinical studies have shown that a class of medications termed statins lower cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Originally developed to lower serum cholesterol, increasing evidence suggests that these medications have potent anti-inflammatory effects that contribute to their beneficial effects in patients. Here, we discuss the clinical and experimental evidence underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukesh K Jain
- Program in Cardiovascular Transcriptional Biology, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Womens Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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30
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Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory polyarthritis that destroys synovial joints, is associated with systemic as well as local inflammation and with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death not fully explained by traditional cardiac risk factors. Statins (HMG-coA reductase inhibitors), medications originally designed to lower cholesterol, have been shown to have powerful effects on decreasing cardiovascular mortality rates in the general and high-risk populations. Not all of this protective benefit appears to be mediated by lowered cholesterol levels. Statins also influence multiple steps in the inflammatory process, including leukocyte migration and adhesion, T-cell stimulation, nitric oxide bioavailability, generation of free radicals, and angiogenesis. Recent studies show that statins may provide mild anti-inflammatory benefit in rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to reducing cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen H Costenbader
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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31
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Hiraga T, Williams PJ, Ueda A, Tamura D, Yoneda T. Zoledronic acid inhibits visceral metastases in the 4T1/luc mouse breast cancer model. Clin Cancer Res 2005; 10:4559-67. [PMID: 15240548 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-03-0325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE It is established that bisphosphonates (BPs), specific inhibitors of osteoclasts, have beneficial effects on bone metastases of breast cancer. In addition, recent studies have reported that BPs have anticancer effects and suppress visceral metastases, too. However, the results of clinical studies are still conflicting. In the present study, we examined the effects of the BP zoledronic acid (ZOL), one of the most potent BPs currently available, on visceral metastases of breast cancer using an animal model in which mouse breast cancer cells 4T1/luc implanted at the orthotopic mammary fat pad spontaneously metastasize to multiple organs including bone, lung, and liver in female BALB/c mice. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND RESULTS The 4T1/luc-bearing mice received single or four i.v. injections of ZOL (0.5 or 5 microg/mouse) during the whole experimental period. Bone metastases were reduced by the ZOL treatment. More importantly, ZOL significantly suppressed lung and liver metastases. Furthermore, ZOL prolonged overall survival of the tumor-bearing mice. Of interest, apoptosis in 4T1/luc cells colonized in bone was increased by ZOL; however, those in lung were not changed. In vitro studies demonstrated that ZOL inhibited cell migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis of 4T1/luc cells. CONCLUSIONS These results are consistent with the notion that ZOL affects breast cancer metastasis to visceral organs as well as bone. These effects of ZOL may be attributable to inhibition of migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Clinical relevance of our experimental results needs to be determined in breast cancer patients with visceral metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Hiraga
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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Ohkawara H, Ishibashi T, Sakamoto T, Sugimoto K, Nagata K, Yokoyama K, Sakamoto N, Kamioka M, Matsuoka I, Fukuhara S, Sugimoto N, Takuwa Y, Maruyama Y. Thrombin-induced rapid geranylgeranylation of RhoA as an essential process for RhoA activation in endothelial cells. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:10182-8. [PMID: 15640525 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m409547200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
RhoA plays a critical signaling role in thrombin-induced endothelial dysfunction. The possible thrombin regulation of geranylgeranylation, a lipid modification, of unprocessed RhoA and the significance of the geranylgeranylation in RhoA activation in endothelial cells (ECs) are not well understood. The amounts of the unprocessed and geranylgeranylated forms of RhoA in non-stimulated cultured human aortic ECs were 31 +/- 8 and 69 +/- 8% total cellular RhoA, respectively (n = 6, p < 0.0001), as determined by the Triton X-114 partition method. Thrombin-induced rapid conversion of most of the unprocessed RhoA into the geranylgeranylated form within 1 min through stimulating geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGTase I) activity. Thrombin-induced rapid geranylgeranylation was inhibited by acute short term (3 min) pretreatment with atorvastatin as well as by an inhibitor of GGTase I (GGTI-286). Thrombin also rapidly stimulated GTP loading of RhoA, which was blocked by acute pretreatment with either atorvastatin or GGTI-286. These observations indicate the dependence of thrombin stimulation of RhoA on the rapid geranylgeranylation of unprocessed RhoA. Importantly, the addition of geranylgeranylpyrophosphate to ECs pretreated with atorvastatin quickly reversed the atorvastatin inhibition of thrombin stimulation of RhoA. These results suggest that geranylgeranylation of unprocessed RhoA may limit thrombin-induced full activation of RhoA in ECs. Cytoskeleton analysis demonstrated that atorvastatin and GGTI-286 inhibited thrombin-induced stress fiber formation. We provide the evidence that, in thrombin-stimulated ECs, the unprocessed form of RhoA is rapidly geranylgeranylated to become the mature form, which then is converted into GTP-bound active RhoA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ohkawara
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
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Abstract
As our understanding of integrins as multifunctional adhesion and signaling molecules has grown, so has their recognition as potential therapeutic targets in human diseases. Leukocyte integrins are of particular interest in this regard, as they are key molecules in immune-mediated and inflammatory processes and are thus critically involved in diverse clinical disorders, ranging from asthma to atherosclerosis. Antagonists that interfere with integrin-dependent leukocyte trafficking and/or post-trafficking events have shown efficacy in multiple preclinical models, but these have not always predicted success in subsequent clinical trials (e.g., ischemia-reperfusion disorders and transplantation). However, recent successes of integrin antagonists in psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis demonstrate the tremendous potential of antiadhesion therapy directed at leukocyte integrins. This article will review the role of the leukocyte integrins in the inflammatory process, approaches to targeting leukocyte integrins and their ligands, and the results of completed clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyn Yonekawa
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Matsumoto M, Einhaus D, Gold ES, Aderem A. Simvastatin augments lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory responses in macrophages by differential regulation of the c-Fos and c-Jun transcription factors. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2004; 172:7377-84. [PMID: 15187114 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.172.12.7377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, or statins, are a widely used class of drugs for cholesterol reduction. The reduction in mortality and morbidity in statin-treated patients is incompletely explained by their effects on cholesterol, and an anti-inflammatory role for the drug has been proposed. We report in this work that, unexpectedly, simvastatin enhances LPS-induced IL-12p40 production by murine macrophages, and that it does so by activating the IL-12p40 promoter. Mutational analysis and dominant-negative expression studies indicate that both C/EBP and AP-1 transcription factors have a crucial role in promoter activation. This occurs via a c-Fos- and c-Jun-based mechanism; we demonstrate that ectopic expression of c-Jun activates the IL-12p40 promoter, whereas expression of c-Fos inhibits IL-12p40 promoter activity. Simvastatin prevents LPS-induced c-Fos expression, thereby relieving the inhibitory effect of c-Fos on the IL-12p40 promoter. Concomitantly, simvastatin induces the phosphorylation of c-Jun by the c-Jun N-terminal kinase, resulting in c-Jun-dependent activation of the IL-12p40 promoter. This appears to be a general mechanism because simvastatin also augments LPS-dependent activation of the TNF-alpha promoter, perhaps because the TNF-alpha promoter has C/EBP and AP-1 binding sites in a similar configuration to the IL-12p40 promoter. The fact that simvastatin potently augments LPS-induced IL-12p40 and TNF-alpha production has implications for the treatment of bacterial infections in statin-treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Matsumoto
- Institute for Systems Biology, 1441 North 34th Street, Seattle, WA 98103-8904, USA
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35
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Abstract
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is one of the major causes of mortality late after heart transplantation. This disease process occurs to a lesser extent in patients with other donor organs; however, a long-term graft dysfunction is similarly described in kidney, liver and lung transplant recipients. There are multiple immune and nonimmune risk factors associated with this vasculopathic disease process, one of which includes hyperlipidemia. Use of lipid lowering agents, specifically HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) was initially reported to have possible immunosuppressive effects in a single center study of heart transplant recipients. This has not been observed in kidney transplant recipients; however, a large randomized trial demonstrated a significant cardiovascular risk reduction in fluvastatin-treated kidney transplant patients, outcome similar to the numerous nontransplant clinical trials of statins in atherosclerosis. In two recent in vitro studies, statins have been reported to repress induction of MHC-II by interferon-gamma and selectively block leukocyte function antigen-1, both of which decrease T-lymphocyte activation. In conclusion, statins appear to have outcome benefits in heart and kidney transplant patients; however, firm evidence for a clinical immunosuppressive effect is lacking. Further studies in humans will be needed to demonstrate this potential effect of statins. Overall, the outcome benefits of statins from the heart and kidney clinical studies provide a firm rationale to support the use of statins in organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon A Kobashigawa
- Division of Cardiology, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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36
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Abstract
According to traditional thinking, atherosclerosis results from passive lipid deposition in the vascular wall. Thus, therapies predominantly targeted lipid metabolism. The contemporary view of atherosclerosis, however, has broadened to include an active and complex role for inflammation, orchestrated in part by mediators of the immune system. This recognition prompted the question of whether antiinflammatory interventions might provide a novel avenue for the treatment of atherosclerosis. Uncertainties about the type of antiinflammatory regimen and appropriate patient selection currently hamper clinical investigation. Yet cardiovascular scientists have begun to address these questions at the bench, in experimental models, and indirectly in humans. Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A HMG-CoA reductase (statins) have emerged as promising tools with dual functions. Originally designed to target elevated lipids, the "traditional" cause of atherosclerosis, statins might also confer cardiovascular benefit by directly or indirectly modulating the inflammatory component of this prevalent disease. Yet controversy persists regarding the (clinical) relevance of these potential non-LDL-lowering "pleiotropic" functions of statins. This overview addresses the controversy by reviewing in vitro and in vivo evidence regarding statins as antiinflammatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Schönbeck
- Leducq Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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37
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Katano H, Pesnicak L, Cohen JI. Simvastatin induces apoptosis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines and delays development of EBV lymphomas. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:4960-5. [PMID: 15041742 PMCID: PMC387356 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0305149101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simvastatin and pravastatin are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase, and are used as antihypercholesterolemia drugs. Simvastatin, but not pravastatin, binds to the inserted domain of leukocyte function antigen (LFA)-1 and inhibits the function of LFA-1, including adhesion and costimulation of lymphocytes. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) express high levels of LFA-1 on their surface and grow in tight clumps. Here we show that simvastatin (2 microM) inhibits clump formation and induces apoptosis of EBV-transformed LCLs. The apoptosis-inducing effect of simvastatin depends on binding to the inserted domain of LFA-1. Simvastatin, but not pravastatin, dissociates EBV latent membrane protein 1 from lipid rafts of LCLs, resulting in down-regulation of nuclear factor kappaB activity and induction of apoptosis. Analysis of multiple EBV-positive and -negative cell lines indicated that both LFA-1 and EBV latent membrane protein 1 expression were required for simvastatin's effects. Administration of simvastatin to severe combined immunodeficiency mice followed by inoculation with LCLs resulted in delayed development of EBV lymphomas and prolonged survival of animals. To our knowledge, this is the first report in which a drug that targets LFA-1 has been used to treat B cell lymphoma. These data suggest that simvastatin may have promise for treatment or prevention of EBV-associated lymphomas that occur in immunocompromised persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harutaka Katano
- Medical Virology Section, Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Yanase M, Ikeda H, Matsui A, Noiri E, Tomiya T, Arai M, Inoue Y, Tejima K, Nagashima K, Nishikawa T, Kimura S, Fujiwara K, Rojkind M, Ogata I. HMG-COA reductase inhibitor modulates collagen GEL-contraction by hepatic myofibroblast-like stellate cell line: involvement of geranylgeranylated proteins. COMPARATIVE HEPATOLOGY 2004; 3 Suppl 1:S21. [PMID: 14960173 PMCID: PMC2410241 DOI: 10.1186/1476-5926-2-s1-s21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mikio Yanase
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Ikeda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Atsushi Matsui
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical School, Saitama, Japan
| | - Eisei Noiri
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Tomiya
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masahiro Arai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yukiko Inoue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Tejima
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kayo Nagashima
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takako Nishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kimura
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Fujiwara
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Saitama Medical School, Saitama, Japan
| | - Marcos Rojkind
- Experimental Pathology Section, Department of Clinical Investigation, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and Department of Biochemistry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Itsuro Ogata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kawakita General Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Ruiz-Velasco N, Domínguez A, Vega MA. Statins upregulate CD36 expression in human monocytes, an effect strengthened when combined with PPAR-γ ligands Putative contribution of Rho GTPases in statin-induced CD36 expression. Biochem Pharmacol 2004; 67:303-13. [PMID: 14698043 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2003.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Scavenger receptor CD36 plays important roles in atherosclerosis, inflammation, thrombosis, and angiogenesis. Statins besides lowering serum cholesterol levels, exhibit a variety of effects on inflammation, coagulation and atherosclerosis lesion stability. PPAR-gamma ligands influence macrophage responses to many inflammatory stimuli. Herein, we investigated in human monocytes the effect of statins alone, and in combination with PPAR-gamma ligands on CD36 expression, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory action of statins. Our results demonstrate that statins upregulate both CD36 surface protein and mRNA by potentiating the transcription of the CD36 gene. Furthermore, the combination of statins and PPAR-gamma ligands has an additive effect on CD36 expression. Effects of statins on CD36 expression were prevented by mevalonate and geranylgeraniol, indicating the requirement of geranylgeranylated proteins for CD36 regulation. Rho GTPases inhibitor C3 exoenzyme reproduced the effect of statins, while Rho activator lysophosphatidic acid downregulated CD36. Transient expression of dominant-negative mutants of RhoA and RhoB induced a significant increased in CD36 promoter activity. Finally, the actin cytoskeleton disrupter cytochalasin D upregulated CD36. These data indicate that Rho proteins are important modulators of CD36 expression, and strongly suggest that statins increased CD36 expression by disrupting cytoskeleton organization by inactivating Rho GTPases. These features prompt to investigate the roles of Rho GTPases and actin cytoskeleton modulators on monocytic functions affected by statins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natividad Ruiz-Velasco
- Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Ctra. Colmenar Viejo km. 9.1, 28034, Madrid, Spain
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40
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Yu T, Morita I, Shimokado K, Iwai T, Yoshida M. Amlodipine modulates THP-1 cell adhesion to vascular endothelium via inhibition of protein kinase C signal transduction. Hypertension 2003; 42:329-34. [PMID: 12900427 DOI: 10.1161/01.hyp.0000087199.34071.4f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory responses play an important role in atherosclerosis. To critically assess the effect of dihydropyridines in inflammatory reactions, we conducted a monocyte-endothelial adhesion assay with monocytic THP-1 cells treated with amlodipine under flow conditions in vitro. THP-1 cells were incubated in the presence of amlodipine (10 micromol/L) for 48 hours and then perfused over activated (interleukin-1beta, 10 U/mL, 4 hours) human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The adhesion of THP-1 cells was significantly reduced after amlodipine treatment (P<0.001); however, flow cytometric analysis reveled that the expression levels of integrins in THP-1 cells were not significantly altered. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis of THP-1 cell lysates revealed that translocation of RhoA from the cytosol to the membrane was significantly diminished after amlodipine treatment. In addition, activation of protein kinase C-alpha and -beta, as well as intracellular calcium influx, induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, was diminished after amlodipine treatment. Pretreatment of THP-1 cells with calphostin C, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C, significantly reduced THP-1 adhesion to vascular endothelium, whereas activation of beta1-integrin was reduced after amlodipine treatment in THP-1 cells, based on the immunoreactivity of an activation-specific antibody for beta1-integrin. Similar inhibitory effects were observed when we used freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These findings suggest a potential role for amlodipine in monocyte-endothelial interactions by modulation of protein kinase C- and RhoA-dependent mechanisms, which might account for its vascular protective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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41
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Abstract
The 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, more commonly known as statins, are a class of drug widely used for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia in patients with established cardiovascular disease as well as those at high risk of developing atherosclerosis. Their predominant action is to reduce circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol; to a smaller degree, they also increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reduce triglyceride concentrations. In recent years, however, there has been an increasing body of evidence that their effects on lipid profile cannot fully account for their cardiovascular protective actions: their beneficial effects are too rapid to be easily explained by their relatively slow effects on atherogenesis and too large to be accounted for by their relatively small effects on plaque regression. Experimental models have revealed that statins exert a variety of other cardiovascular effects, which would be predicted to be of clinical benefit: they possess anti-inflammatory properties, as evidenced by their ability to reduce the accumulation of inflammatory cells in atherosclerotic plaques; they inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, a key event in atherogenesis; they inhibit platelet function, thereby limiting both atherosclerosis and superadded thrombosis; and they improve vascular endothelial function, largely through augmentation of nitric oxide (NO) generation. The relative importance of the lipid- and non-lipid-related effects of the statins in the clinical situation remains the subject of much continuing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony S Wierzbicki
- Department of Chemical Pathology, GKT School of Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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42
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Bank I, Koltakov A, Nir-Glickman E, Goldstein I, Li J, Roitelman J, Chess L. Lovastatin and phospholipase Cgamma regulate constitutive and protein kinase C dependent integrin mediated interactions of human T-cells with collagen. Cell Immunol 2003; 223:35-45. [PMID: 12914756 DOI: 10.1016/s0008-8749(03)00147-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported that human interleukin (IL)-2 dependent T cell lines derived from very late antigen (VLA)-1(+) CD45RO(+) peripheral blood (PB) T-cells adhere constitutively to collagen type IV, whereas lines from VLA-1(-) PB lymphocytes (L) adhere weakly. Here we report that the latter are induced to adhere by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Both PMA dependent and constitutive adhesion, including that of a Herpes Virus Saimiri (HVS) infected CD4(+)VLA-1(+) clone (HVST) were inhibited by anti-VLA-1 monoclonal antibodies (mAb), by inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC)gamma and by lovastatin but not by a MEK1 inhibitor, whereas only PMA induced adhesion was blocked by inhibition of protein-kinase (PK) C. Furthermore, lovastatin enhanced PLCgamma and anti VLA-1 mAb blockade, and its effect was not reversed by mevalonic acid (MVA). Lovastatin also inhibited interferon (IFN)gamma secretion by T cells triggered with anti-CD3 and in cells detaching from collagen IV. These results suggest new ways for functional modulation of activated T-cells interacting with collagen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilan Bank
- Department of Medicine F, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Hashomer 52621, Israel.
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44
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Liu L, Schwartz BR, Tupper J, Lin N, Winn RK, Harlan JM. The GTPase Rap1 regulates phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated but not ligand-induced beta 1 integrin-dependent leukocyte adhesion. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:40893-900. [PMID: 12091396 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m206208200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukocyte migration from bloodstream to tissue requires rapid, coordinated regulation of integrin-dependent adhesion and de-adhesion. In a previous study we demonstrated that inhibition of protein geranylgeranylation inhibited phorbol ester-stimulated avidity modulation of beta(1) integrin in several leukocyte cell lines. Both RhoA and Rap1 require post-translational modification by geranylgeranylation for full function. In this report we identify Rap1, not RhoA, as a critical geranylgeranylated protein mediating phorbol ester-stimulated beta(1) and beta(2) integrin-dependent adhesion of Jurkat cells. Overexpression of the Rap1-specific GTPase-activating protein, SPA-1, or inactivated form of Rap1 (N17Rap1) blocked phorbol ester-stimulated adhesion of Jurkat cells to fibronectin (alpha(4)beta(1)) and ICAM-1 (alpha(L)beta(2)). With high concentrations of fibronectin as ligand, Jurkat cells adhered spontaneously without phorbol ester stimulation. Unlike the phorbol ester-stimulated adhesion, adhesion induced by high density ligand was not dependent upon Rap1 activation or actin cytoskeleton reorganization. Thus, the "inside-out" adhesion signal induced by phorbol ester and the "outside-in" signal induced by high density ligand involve different pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
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45
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Abstract
The beneficial effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) in cardiovascular disease have generally been attributed to their cholesterol-lowering property. However, an increasing number of in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that statins have direct anti-inflammatory effects that are not mediated by their hypocholesterolemic activity. In this article, the HMG-CoA-reductase-dependent and -independent mechanisms by which statins might affect leukocyte adhesion and migration to sites of inflammation are reviewed and the implications for the design of new statin-derived drugs are discussed.
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Kawakami A, Tanaka A, Nakajima K, Shimokado K, Yoshida M. Atorvastatin attenuates remnant lipoprotein-induced monocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium under flow conditions. Circ Res 2002; 91:263-71. [PMID: 12169653 DOI: 10.1161/01.res.0000028454.42385.8b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Remnant lipoproteins have been reported to play a causative role in atherogenesis. We investigated the effect of remnant-like lipoprotein particles (RLPs) on monocyte-endothelial interaction and their potential regulation by atorvastatin. Monocytic U937 cells were incubated with RLPs isolated from hypertriglyceridemia subjects and their adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was examined under flow conditions. Incubation of U937 cells with 15 micro g protein/mL RLPs increased their adhesion to HUVECs activated with IL-1beta (untreated: 6.8+/-1.6 cells/HPF versus RLPs: 16.2+/-3.3 cells/HPF, P<0.05). Flow cytometric analysis revealed that incubation with RLPs increased expression levels of CD11a, CD18, and CD49d in U937 cells. Moreover, RLP-induced RhoA activation as well as FAK activation was seen in U937 cells, and RLP-induced RhoA activation seemed to be involved with PKC-dependent signaling. To explore the effect of atorvastatin on RLP-induced U937 cell adhesion to HUVECs, U937 cells were incubated with RLPs in the presence of atorvastatin. Pretreatment of U937 cells with 10 micro mol/L atorvastatin significantly decreased RLP-induced U937 cell adhesion to activated HUVECs (RLP 15.2+/-1.5 cells/HPF versus atorvastatin+RLP 10.2+/-1.0 cells/HPF; P<0.05) and decreased the enhanced integrin expression in RLP-treated U937 cells. Atorvastatin also inhibited RLP-induced RhoA activation and FAK activation in U937 cells. In summary, RLPs induced monocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium by sequential activation of PKC, RhoA, FAK, and integrins, indicating a role of remnant lipoproteins in vascular inflammation during atherogenesis. Atorvastatin attenuated this enhanced monocyte adhesion to HUVECs, suggesting an antiinflammatory role for this compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akio Kawakami
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan
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47
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Palinski W, Tsimikas S. Immunomodulatory effects of statins: mechanisms and potential impact on arteriosclerosis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2002; 13:1673-81. [PMID: 12039998 DOI: 10.1097/01.asn.0000018400.39687.8c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials with statins have demonstrated a marked reduction of cardiovascular mortality. However, it remains controversial whether these clinical benefits stem from powerful cholesterol-lowering effects of statins or whether they are due in part to their cholesterol-independent effects on vascular function, plaque growth, plaque rupture, or thrombosis. The identification of several mechanisms through which statins decrease the recruitment of monocytes and T cells into the arterial wall and inhibit T cell activation and proliferation in vitro have prompted speculations that immunomodulatory effects of statins may be beneficial in recipients of organ transplants. Hypercholesterolemia is frequent in these patients, and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions in the arterial walls of the graft may be compounded by chronic inflammation associated with conventional atherogenesis. To assess the potential clinical relevance of immunomodulatory effects of statins, the role of the immune system in atherogenesis and the effects of statins in vitro in experimental models and in clinical trials will be reviewed. It is concluded that despite solid in vitro evidence, clinical evidence for an independent immunosuppressive effect of statins in organ transplant patients is presently insufficient; however, further investigation of their in vivo occurrence and clinical relevance is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wulf Palinski
- Department of Medicine 0682, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0682, USA.
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48
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Li X, Liu L, Tupper JC, Bannerman DD, Winn RK, Sebti SM, Hamilton AD, Harlan JM. Inhibition of protein geranylgeranylation and RhoA/RhoA kinase pathway induces apoptosis in human endothelial cells. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:15309-16. [PMID: 11839765 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m201253200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Geranylgeranylation of RhoA small G-protein is essential for its localization to cell membranes and for its biological functions. Many RhoA effects are mediated by its downstream effector RhoA kinase. The role of protein geranylgeranylation and the RhoA pathway in the regulation of endothelial cell survival has not been elucidated. The hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin depletes cellular pools of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and farnesol pyrophosphate and thereby inhibits both geranylgeranylation and farnesylation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to lovastatin (3 microm-30 microm) for 48 h, and cell death was quantitatively determined by cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragments as well as caspase-3 activity. The assays showed that lovastatin caused a dose-dependent endothelial cell death. The addition of geranylgeraniol, which restores geranylgeranylation, rescued HUVEC from apoptosis. The geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitor GGTI-298, but not the farnesyltransferase inhibitor FTI-277, induced apoptosis in HUVEC. Cell death was also induced by a blockade of RhoA function by exoenzyme C3. In addition, treatment of HUVEC with the RhoA kinase inhibitors Y-27632 and HA-1077 caused dose-dependent cell death. Y-27632 did not inhibit other well known survival pathways, such as NF-kappa B, ERK, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt. However, there was an increase in p53 protein level concomitant with Y-27632-induced cell death. Unlike the apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha, which occurs only with inhibition of new protein synthesis, apoptosis induced by inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, geranylgeranyltransferase, or RhoA kinase was blocked by cycloheximide. Our data indicate that inhibition of protein geranylgeranylation and RhoA pathways induce apoptosis in HUVEC and that induction of p53 or other proapoptotic proteins is required for this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwu Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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Theriault A, Chao JT, Gapor A, Chao JT, Gapor A. Tocotrienol is the most effective vitamin E for reducing endothelial expression of adhesion molecules and adhesion to monocytes. Atherosclerosis 2002; 160:21-30. [PMID: 11755919 DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9150(01)00540-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-tocopherol and its esterified derivatives have been shown to be effective in reducing monocytic-endothelial cell adhesion. However, the effect of alpha-tocotrienol (alpha-T3) has not been characterized. In the present study, using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as the model system, we examined the relative inhibitory effects of alpha-T3 and other vitamin E derivatives on cell surface adhesion molecule expression under TNF-alpha stimulation. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we demonstrated that alpha-T3 markedly inhibited the surface expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in TNF-alpha activated HUVEC in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The optimal inhibition was observed at 25 micromol/l alpha-T3 within 24 h (77+/-5%) without cytotoxicity. In addition, the surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin were also reduced by 40+/-7 and 42+/-5%, respectively. In order to further evaluate the effects of alpha-T3 on the vascular endothelium, we investigated the ability of monocytes to adhere to endothelial cells. Interestingly, a 63+/-3% decrease in monocytic cell adherence was observed. Compared to alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopheryl succinate, alpha-T3 displayed a more profound inhibitory effect on adhesion molecule expression and monocytic cell adherence. This inhibitory action by alpha-T3 on TNF-alpha-induced monocyte adhesion was shown to be NF-kappaB dependent and was interestingly reversed with co-incubation with farnesol and geranylgeraniol, suggesting a role for prenylated proteins in the regulation of adhesion molecule expression. In summary, the above results suggest that alpha-T3 is a potent and effective agent in the reduction of cellular adhesion molecule expression and monocytic cell adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Theriault
- Division of Medical Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1960 East-West Road, Bio C-206, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
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Halasy-Nagy JM, Rodan GA, Reszka AA. Inhibition of bone resorption by alendronate and risedronate does not require osteoclast apoptosis. Bone 2001; 29:553-9. [PMID: 11728926 DOI: 10.1016/s8756-3282(01)00615-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Bisphosphonate inhibition of bone resorption was proposed to be due to osteoclast apoptosis. We tested this hypothesis for both the N-containing bisphosphonates alendronate and risedronate, which inhibit farnesyldiphosphate synthase and thus protein isoprenylation, and for clodronate and etidronate, which are metabolized to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analogs. We found, in dose-response studies, that alendronate and risedronate inhibit bone resorption (in pit assays) at doses tenfold lower than those reducing osteoclast number. At an N-bisphosphonate dose that inhibited resorption and induced apoptosis, the antiapoptotic caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK, maintained osteoclast (Oc) number but did not prevent inhibition of resorption. Furthermore, when cells were treated with either alendronate alone or in combination with Z-VAD-FMK for 24 or 48 h, subsequent addition of geranylgeraniol, which restores geranylgeranylation, returned bone resorption to control levels. On the other hand, Z-VAD-FMK did block etidronate and clodronate inhibition of resorption. Moreover, in cells treated with etidronate, but not alendronate or risedronate, Z-VAD-FMK also prevented actin disruption, an early sign of osteoclast inhibition by bisphosphonates. These observations indicate that, whereas induction of apoptosis plays a major role in etidronate and clodronate inhibition of resorption, alendronate and risedronate suppression of bone resorption is independent of their effects on apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Halasy-Nagy
- Department of Bone Biology and Osteoporosis Research, Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA 19486, USA
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