Treatment of psoriasis with statins (HMG-Coa reductase inhibitors)

A method to achieve MHC-class II mediated immunosuppression in a mammal in need of such treatment, which comprises administering to the mammal at least one statin, or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule, in an amount effective to suppress MHC class II expression in the mammal.

A method to achieve MHC-class II mediated anti-inflammatory effect in a mammal in need of such treatment, which comprises administering to the mammal at least one statin, or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule, in an amount effective to suppress MHC class II expression in the mammal.

A method to achieve CD40-mediated anti immuno-inflammatory effect in a mammal in it need of such treatment, which comprises administering to the mammal at least one statin, or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule, in an amount effective to modulate CD40 expression.

A method for identifying molecules that inhibit IFN-γ induced CIITA expression, comprising the steps of:

• contacting a cell which is IFN-γ responsive with a statin, or a functional or structural equivalent thereof, and with IFN-γ;
• detecting the inhibition or absence of CITTA expression or MHC class II expression in the presence of the statin, or the functional or structural equivalent thereof.

A method of treating a patient afflicted with an autoimmune disease, comprising administering to said patient a compound that inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in an amount effective to treat said disease.

The method of claim 32 wherein said compound has a therapeutically insignificant lipid-lowering effect and suppresses MHC Class II expression.

A method of treating a patient suffering from an autoimmune disease or condition comprising:

• administering to said patient at least one compound, capable of measurable HMG-CoA reductase inhibition and inhibition of MHC Class II expression in said patient, in an amount effective to treat such autoimmune disease or condition.

A method of treating a patient in preparation for or after an organ tissue transplant comprising:

• administering to said patient at least one compound capable of measurable HMG-CoA reductase inhibition and inhibition of MHC Class II expression in said patient, in an amount which is effective to prevent tissue rejection.

A method of preventing or treating tissue or organ rejection in a patient comprising administering to said patient a compound that inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-COA reductase) in an amount effective to prevent or treat tissue or organ rejection.

A method of treating an autoimmune disease or an immuno-inflammatory disease, comprising administration of at least one statin, or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule, to a subject in an amount effective to modulate IFN-γ inducible MHC class II expression and/or CD40 expression in the subject, such that the symptoms of said disease are at least partially alleviated.

Use of a statin or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule, for the preparation of a medicament for treating an autoimmune disease or an immuno-inflammatory disease, such statin being present in an amount effective modulate IFN-γ inducible MHC class II expression and/or CD40 expression, thereby alleviating at least partially the symptoms of said disease.

A method of preventing or treating tissue rejection in a subject comprising administering to said subject at least one statin or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule in an amount which is effective to inhibit IFN-γ inducible MHC Class II expression and/or CD40 expression such that rejection is at least partially prevented or treated.

A method of treating a tissue graft prior to, during or after transplantation, comprising administering to a patient a statin or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule, in an amount which is effective to inhibit IFN-γ inducible MHC Class II expression and/or CD40 expression effective such that inflammation or tissue rejection, or both, is reduced.

Use of a statin or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule in the preparation of a medicament for reducing inflammation or for reducing tissue rejection, or both, such statin being present in an amount effective to inhibit IFN-γ inducible MHC Class II expression and/or CD40 expression such that inflammation or tissue rejection, or both, is reduced, for administration to a subject before, during or after a tissue graft.

A kit comprising a tissue graft material and a statin, or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule, either in the same or separate packaging.

A method of preventing or treating organ rejection in a subject comprising administering to said subject prior to or during transplantation, at least one statin or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule, in an amount which is effective to inhibit IFNγ inducible MHC Class II expression and/or CD40 expression such that rejection is at least partially prevented or treated.

A method of treating an inflammatory disorder comprising administering to a subject, at least one statin or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule, in an amount which is effective to inhibit IFN-γ inducible MHC Class II expression and for CD40 expression such that inflation is reduced.

Use of a statin or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule in the preparation of a medicament for reducing inflammation in an inflammatory skin disorder, such statin being present in an amount effective for reducing inflammation.

Use of a statin or a functionally or structurally equivalent molecule in the preparation of a medicament for reducing inflammation in an inflammatory ocular disorder, such statin being present in an amount effective for reducing inflammation.