Hydroxymethylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Inhibitors Modify the Inflammatory Response of Human Macrophages and Endothelial Cells Infected With Chlamydia pneumoniae

Background—In patients with atherosclerosis, hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (CSE) inhibitors may reduce the activation of inflammation. Because Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been linked to coronary artery disease through the induction of plaque inflammation, we investigated whether cerivastatin affects the infection rate of human macrophages and endothelial cells (ECs) and their proinflammatory activation after chlamydial infection. Methods and Results—Macrophages were collected from the alveolar compartment of 6 volunteers and 10 patients with chronic bronchitis. ECs were obtained from 10 umbilical cords. The C. pneumoniae strain CWL was incubated with macrophages or ECs in the presence and absence of the CSE inhibitor cerivastatin. The infection rate was determined by immunofluorescence microscopy. The release of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was quantified by ELISA. The release of oxygen radicals was determin...