Influence of statins on effector and regulatory immune mechanisms and their potential clinical relevance in treating autoimmune disorders.

Studies have shown that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors possess anti-inflammatory properties, for example, decreasing serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) or decreasing the activity of numerous effector mechanisms. However, they also may influence the immune system by affecting a wide range of regulatory actions, for example, Treg- and Th2-type response activation as well as Th1 and Th17 response diminishing. These features provide the rationale for potential application of statins in treating chronic inflammatory diseases and other disorders with the involvement of the immune system. This article seeks to review the immunomodulatory actions of statins and their possible implementation in treating rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune disorders in humans.