Open Access
Repression of BK Virus Infection of Human Renal Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells by Pravastatin
Author(s) -
Takahito Moriyama,
Andrey Sorokin
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.45
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1534-6080
pISSN - 0041-1337
DOI - 10.1097/tp.0b013e31816c4ec5
Subject(s) - pravastatin , bk virus , internalization , endocytosis , biology , virology , immunology , kidney , kidney transplantation , endocrinology , cell , cholesterol , genetics
BK virus (BKV), a human polyomavirus, causes BKV nephritis, which often leads to graft loss after renal transplantation. Currently, the only efficient therapy against BKV nephritis seems to be a reduction or change of immunosuppressive agents, but this may increase the inherent risk of rejection. Here, we report the ability of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin), which is routinely used to treat hypercholesterolemia, to repress BKV entry pathways in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HRPTEC) and, correspondently, prevent BKV infection.