Effect of atorvastatin on TH1 and TH2 cytokine secreting cells during T cell activation and differentiation

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 (TH2) bias and suppress the secretion of T helper 1 (TH1) cytokines. We therefore examine whether atorvastatin modulates the TH1/TH2 responses in human T cells. Using primary T cells as well as differentiated TH1 and TH2 cells, the immunomodulatory effect of atorvastatin on cells secreting IFN-γ (TH1 response) and IL-4 (TH2 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 TH1 and TH2 cells were unaffected by atorvastatin. Furthermore, atorvastatin had no effect on the ratio of IFN-γ+/IL-4+ cells during the differentiation of TH0 cells to TH1 and TH2 cells in long-term cultures. These data suggest that atorvastatin does not have any immunomodulatory effect on the TH1/TH2 balance in human T cells in vitro.