DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/BKAD-6590
Defense Date
2014
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Integrative Life Sciences
First Advisor
John J Ryan, PhD
Second Advisor
Jennifer Stewart, PhD
Third Advisor
Daniel Conrad, PhD
Fourth Advisor
Robert Lee Franco, PhD
Fifth Advisor
Amanda Dickinson, PhD
Abstract
Fluvastatin, the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor known for its role in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease, has more recently been shown to play a role in the immune response. Given the critical role that mast cells play in allergy and inflammatory diseases such as asthma, which effects one third of America’s population, we assessed the effect of fluvastatin on mast cell and basophils function. We demonstrate that fluvastatin downregulated IgE-mediated cytokine production. Additionally, in vivo studies showed that fluvastatin suppressed IgE-mediated anaphylaxis. Interestingly, the effects of fluvastatin showed dependence on genetic background, as C57BL/6 mast cells were sensitive, while 129/Sv mast cells were resistant to fluvastatin. Characterizing the role of fluvastatin on mast cells may prove to be therapeutically important.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
11-10-2014