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Regulation of different inflammatory diseases by impacting the mevalonate pathway
Author(s) -
Zeiser Robert,
Maas Kristina,
Youssef Sawsan,
Dürr Christoph,
Steinman Lawrence,
Negrin Robert S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2008.03011.x
Subject(s) - mevalonate pathway , immune system , immunity , reductase , inflammation , immunology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , biochemistry
Summary The 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) interfere with the mevalonate pathway. While initially developed for their lipid‐lowering properties, statins have been extensively investigated with respect to their impact on autoantigen and alloantigen driven immune responses. Mechanistically it was shown that statins modify immune responses on several levels, including effects on dendritic cells, endothelial cells, macrophages, B cells and T cells. Several lines of evidence suggest that statins act in a disease‐specific manner and are not effective in each immune disorder. This review discusses possible modes of action of statins in modulating immunity towards autoantigens and alloantigens.