Statins Inhibit Cytokines in a Dose-Dependent Response in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Although statins have been successfully administered in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease due to their lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic action, they have shown immunomodulatory effects in several studies with immune-mediated diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of statins treatment on Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines production from stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) patients. We recruited 21 patients classified according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria for SSc for PBMCs culture analysis. Cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-17A, and IL-17F) were quantified by ELISA or CBA, and patients were assessed for clinical and exam’s variables. Simvastatin and atorvastatin at 50 μM promoted reduction in all cytokine levels with statistical significance, except for IL-6, which had its reduction only induced by the use of simvastatin. Statins, particularly simvastatin, appear to have an immunosuppressive effect in reducing all cytokine secretion levels from PBMCs of SSc in a dose-dependent manner.