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Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) reduce CD40 expression in human vascular cells

Mulhaupt, Flore ; Matter, Christian M. ; Kwak, Brenda R. ; Pelli, Graziano ; Veillard, Niels R. ; Burger, Fabienne ; Graber, Pierre ; Lüscher, Thomas F. ; Mach, François

In: Cardiovascular Research, 2003, vol. 59, no. 3, p. 755-766

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    Title
    • Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) reduce CD40 expression in human vascular cells
    Author
    • Mulhaupt, Flore. Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Geneva Medical School, Foundation for Medical Research, 64 Avenue Roseraie, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
    • Matter, Christian M.. Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research, Institute of Physiology and Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Kwak, Brenda R.. Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Geneva Medical School, Foundation for Medical Research, 64 Avenue Roseraie, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
    • Pelli, Graziano. Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Geneva Medical School, Foundation for Medical Research, 64 Avenue Roseraie, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
    • Veillard, Niels R.. Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Geneva Medical School, Foundation for Medical Research, 64 Avenue Roseraie, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
    • Burger, Fabienne. Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Geneva Medical School, Foundation for Medical Research, 64 Avenue Roseraie, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
    • Graber, Pierre. Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Geneva, Switzerland
    • Lüscher, Thomas F.. Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research, Institute of Physiology and Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Mach, François. Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Geneva Medical School, Foundation for Medical Research, 64 Avenue Roseraie, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:303241
    Summary
    Objective: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that are independent of their lipid-lowering action. As the CD40-CD40L signaling pathway is implicated in the modulation of inflammatory responses between vascular cells, involving adhesion molecules, pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, we sought to investigate the potential role of statins in regulating the expression of CD40. Methods and Results: Using Western blot, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry analyses, we observed that four different statins reduced IFN-γ-induced CD40 expression in human vascular cells (endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages and fibroblasts). This effect was dose-dependent (from 5 μM to 80 nM) and reversed by addition of l-mevalonate. Activation of vascular cells by human recombinant CD40L, as measured by ELISA for IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1, was strongly reduced when cells were treated with statins. Immunostaining of human carotid atherosclerotic lesions of patients subjected to statin treatment revealed less CD40 expression on a ‘per vascular cell' basis compared to control patients. Although many pleiotropic effects of statins are mediated by nitric oxide synthase (NOS)- or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-dependent signaling pathways, we observed similar statin-induced reduction of CD40 expression using NOS inhibitors or different PPAR ligands. Conclusion: Statins decrease CD40 expression and CD40-related activation of vascular cells. These effects are partially reversed by the HMG-CoA reductase product l-mevalonate and are mediated by NOS- or PPAR-dependent pathways. Altogether, these findings provide mechanistic insight into the beneficial effects of statins on atherogenesis. They also provide a scientific rationale for the use of statins as immunomodulators after organ transplantation