Simvastatin inhibits IFN-γ-induced CD40 gene expression by suppressing STAT-1α

CD40, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, is critical for productive immune responses. Macrophages constitutively express CD40 at low levels, which are enhanced by IFN-gamma. IFN gamma-induced CD40 expression involves activation of STAT-1 alpha as well as NF-kappa B activation through an autocrine response to IFN-gamma-induced TNF-alpha production. Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors, which exert anti-inflammatory effects independent of their cholesterol-lowering actions. Herein, we describe that simvastatin (SS) inhibits IFN-gamma-induced CD40 expression via the suppression of STAT-1 alpha expression. This results in diminished STAT-1 alpha recruitment to the CD40 promoter upon IFN-gamma treatment, in addition to reduced RNA Polymerase II recruitment and diminished levels of H3 and H4 histone acetylation. SS-mediated inhibition of STAT-1 alpha occurs through suppression of constitutive STAT-1 alpha mRNA and protein expression. The inhibitory effect of SS on CD40 and STAT-1 alpha is dependent on HMG-CoA reductase activity, as the addition of mevalonate reverses the inhibitory effect. In addition, CD40 and/or STAT-1 alpha expression is inhibited by GGTI-298 or Clostridium difficile Toxin A, a specific inhibitor of Rho family protein prenylation, indicating the involvement of small GTP-binding proteins in this process. Collectively, these data indicate that SS inhibits IFN-gamma-induced CD40 expression by suppression of STAT1 alpha, and altering transcriptional events at the CD40 promoter.