Effect of atorvastatin on T H1 and T H2 cytokine secreting cells during T cell activation and differentiation

Abstract

Statins, which are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, are the most effective agents for the lowering of cholesterol in clinical practice. In addition to their lipid-lowering properties, statins also have immunomodulatory activities. Animal studies have shown that statins promote a T helper 2 (T H2) bias and suppress the secretion of T helper 1 (T H1) cytokines. We therefore examine whether atorvastatin modulates the T H1/T H2 responses in human T cells. Using primary T cells as well as differentiated T H1 and T H2 cells, the immunomodulatory effect of atorvastatin on cells secreting IFN-γ (T H1 response) and IL-4 (T H2 response) was investigated. Atorvastatin had no effect on cells secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 in primary T cells stimulated with anti-CD3 and -CD28 antibodies. Similarly, cells producing IFN-γ and IL-4 in stable differentiated T H1 and T H2 cells were unaffected by atorvastatin. Furthermore, atorvastatin had no effect on the ratio of IFN-γ +/IL-4 + cells during the differentiation of T H0 cells to T H1 and T H2 cells in long-term cultures. These data suggest that atorvastatin does not have any immunomodulatory effect on the T H1/T H2 balance in human T cells in vitro.