Therapeutic effect of atorvastatin on interleukin-13-induced lung pathology
- Author:
Yosep MO
1
;
Boram BAE
;
Junghyun KIM
;
Ruth Lee KIM
;
Kyunghee SON
;
Min-Jong KANG
;
Chun-Gen LEE
;
Sang-Heon CHO
;
Hye-Ryun KANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Disease 2021;9(2):76-83
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Asthma is a common chronic lung disease, in which interleukin (IL)-13 is implicated as a central regulator of IgE synthesis, mucus hypersecretion, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and fibrosis. This study was designed to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of atorvastatin, a widely used lipid-lowering agent, on the IL-13-induced lung pathology through the modulation of macrophages.
Methods:Atorvastatin (40 mg/kg) was given to transgenic mice overexpressing IL-13 (IL-13 TG mice) and their wild type littermates by oral gavage for 2 weeks. AHR, numbers of inflammatory cells in the airway, and cytokine levels in IL-13 TG mice were measured.Using the alveolar macrophage cell line CRL-2456, the direct effect of atorvastatin on macrophages activated by recombinant IL-13 was assessed.
Results:Significant reduction in total leukocytes and alleviation of AHR were observed with administration of atorvastatin in IL-13 TG mice compared to those without atorvastatin treatment (P< 0.05). Atorvastatin administration resulted in upregulation of IL-10 in the lungs of IL-13 TG mice (P< 0.05). In addition, mRNA expression of connective tissue growth factor, fibronectin, and type III collagen as well as chord length enhanced by IL-13 overexpression were reduced by atorvastatin administration (P< 0.05). M2 macrophage markers, such as Ym-1 and CD206, were decreased, while M1 macrophage marker, inducible nitric oxide synthase, was increased upon atorvastatin treatment (P< 0.05). Administration of atorvastatin resulted in improved removal of apoptotic cells (P< 0.05).
Conclusion:The results of this study reveal a potential of atorvastatin as an effective antiasthmatic agent by reducing IL-13-induced lung inflammation via the modulation of macrophage polarization.
