Increased IL-37 in Atherosclerotic Disease could be Suppressed by Atorvastatin Therapy.

Abstract

Recently, the evidence showed that interleukin-37 (IL-37) was expressed in the foam-like cells of atherosclerotic coronary and carotid artery plaques in IL-37-transgenic mice, suggesting that interleukin-37 is involved in atherosclerosis-related diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the change of IL-37 in atherosclerotic plaque, the effect of atorvastatin on IL-37 and the association between IL-37 and Smad3 in atherosclerotic disease. Rabbits were subjected to atherosclerosis by the immunologic injury composite with balloon injury (BI). Some rabbits received atorvastatin treatment from 6 weeks to 12 weeks. Serum levels of IL-37 were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks in normal, atherosclerotic and atorvastatin groups. Protein and RNA levels of IL-37 atherosclerotic plaque from abdominal aorta were processed at 12 weeks. Abdominal aorta including atherosclerotic plaque was immunostained with IL-37 and Smad3. Serum IL-37 significantly increased in atherosclerotic disease, and this increase could be reduced by the atorvastatin treatment. IL-37 and Smad3 were accumulated in the macrophage-derived foam cells in the plaque and significantly increased in protein and RNA levels. Atorvastatin treatment could significantly suppress the increase of both IL-37 and Smad3. Plasma level of IL-37 and the IL-37 expression of the plaque were significantly increased in atherosclerotic disease. This increase could be suppressed by the atorvastatin treatment. In addition, Smad3 might be required for IL-37 activity during the atherosclerotic physiologic process.

• Authors: C Shaoyuan, D Ming, H Yulang, F Hongcheng
• Journal: Scandinavian journal of immunology (Scand J Immunol) Vol. 82 Issue 4 Pg. 328-36 (Oct 2015) ISSN: 1365-3083 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26074195 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2015 The Foundation for the Scandinavian Journal of Immunology.

Chemical References

• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
• Interleukin-1
• RNA, Messenger
• Smad3 Protein
• Atorvastatin

Topics

• Animals
• Atherosclerosis (drug therapy, immunology)
• Atorvastatin (therapeutic use)
• Foam Cells (immunology)
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Interleukin-1 (antagonists & inhibitors, blood, immunology)
• Male
• Plaque, Atherosclerotic (drug therapy, immunology)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics)
• Rabbits
• Smad3 Protein (metabolism)