HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors inhibit inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression in macrophages
Journal
Journal of Biomedical Science
Journal Volume
10
Journal Issue
4
Pages
396-405
Date Issued
2003
Author(s)
Abstract
The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, statins, are potent inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis and have wide therapeutic use in cardiovascular diseases. Recent evidence, however, suggests that the beneficial effects of statins may extend beyond their action on serum cholesterol levels. In this study, we investigated the effects of lovastatin, pravastatin, atorvastatin and fluvastatin on macrophage formation of nitric oxide (NO) in murine RAW 264.7 cells. Stimulation of macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) resulted in inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression, which was accompanied by a large amount of NO formation. At concentrations of 0.1- 30 μM, statins can inhibit stimuli-induced NO formation and iNOS induction to different extents. This inhibition occurs at the transcriptional level, and displays potency in the order of lovastatin > atorvastatin > fluvastatin ? pravastatin. We found that LPS-induced IκB kinase and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, as well as IFN-γ-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) phosphorylation, were reduced by lovastatin. Moreover, inhibition by lovastatin of NO production and κB activation was reversed by mevalonate, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and farnesyl pyrophosphate. All these results suggest that inhibition of iNOS gene expression by statins can be attributed to interference with protein isoprenylation, which mediates both NF-κB and STAT1 activation in the upstream signaling pathways for iNOS gene transcription. Copyright ? 2003 National Science Council, ROC and S. Karger AG, Basel.
SDGs
Other Subjects
atorvastatin; farnesyl diphosphate; farnesyl trans transferase; fluindostatin; gamma interferon; hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor; I kappa B kinase; immunoglobulin enhancer binding protein; lipopolysaccharide; mevalonic acid; mevinolin; nitric oxide; nitric oxide synthase; pravastatin; STAT protein; animal cell; article; cell function; cell line; cell stimulation; drug potency; enzyme activation; gene expression; genetic transcription; macrophage; mouse; nonhuman; priority journal; protein expression; protein phosphorylation; protein processing; signal transduction; Animals; Blotting, Northern; Cell Line; DNA-Binding Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Interferon Type II; Lipopolysaccharides; Lovastatin; Macrophages; Mice; NF-kappa B; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Pravastatin; Protein Isoprenylation; Signal Transduction; STAT1 Transcription Factor; Trans-Activators; Transcription, Genetic; Murinae
Type
journal article