Immunomodulatory effects of statins and autoimmune rheumatic diseases: novel intracellular mechanism involved.

Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, known as statins, are the most commonly prescribed agents for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. However, the effects of statins may extend beyond their influences on serum cholesterol levels resulting in cholesterol-independent or pleiotropic effects. Clinical, animal and in vitro studies suggest that statins have additional clinical uses because of their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, in part due to their capacity to interfere with the mevalonate pathway and inhibit prenylation of Rho family GTPases. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of statins. In base to all these information, we suggest that statins could have similar inhibitory effects on MAPKs pathways in cells from RA patients, including osteoclasts and fibroblasts.