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Potential Use of Statins in the Treatment of Antiphospholipid Syndrome

  • ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME (RAS ROUBEY, SECTION EDITOR)
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Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a disorder characterized by the association of arterial or venous thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant antibodies, and/or anti–β2-glycoprotein I antibodies). Several studies have contributed to uncovering the basis of antiphospholipid antibody pathogenicity, including the targeted cellular components, affected systems, involved receptors, intracellular pathways used, and the effector molecules that are altered in the process. Therapy for thrombosis traditionally has been based on long-term oral anticoagulation; however, bleeding complications and recurrence despite high-intensity anticoagulation can occur. Based on all the data obtained, new potential therapeutic agents have been proposed. Statins have a variety of direct effects on gene expression and the function of cells of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, many of which are related to blockade of GTPase isoprenylation. In APS, statins have multiple profound effects on monocyte, lymphocyte, and endothelial cell activities, all of which may contribute to thrombosis prevention in APS patients. Nevertheless, larger randomized trials are needed to validate the role of statins in the treatment of this autoimmune disease.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (PS09/01809) and the Junta de Andalucía (P08-CVI-04234 and PI0246/2009) of Spain.

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  1. Unidad de Investigación–Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía-e Instituto Manimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, E-14004, Córdoba, Spain

    Chary Lopez-Pedrera, Patricia Ruiz-Limon, M. Angeles Aguirre, Antonio Rodriguez-Ariza & Maria José Cuadrado

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  1. Chary Lopez-Pedrera
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  2. Patricia Ruiz-Limon
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Correspondence to Chary Lopez-Pedrera.

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Lopez-Pedrera, C., Ruiz-Limon, P., Aguirre, M.A. et al. Potential Use of Statins in the Treatment of Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Curr Rheumatol Rep 14, 87–94 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-011-0222-6

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