Simvastatin Alleviates ConA-Induced Autoimmune Hepatitis by Inhibiting CD4⁺ T Cell Activation via Calcium-NFATC3 Pathway.

ABSTRACT: Although simvastatin plays a crucial role in lipid management, tumor therapy and acute liver injury, its potential effects in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has received limited investigative attention. Our study demonstrated that in the ConA-induced AIH model, HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the pharmacological target of simvastatin (SIM), was significantly upregulated in T cells, particularly in CD4⁺ T cells. Furthermore, our results showed that simvastatin treatment in ConA-induced AIH model reduced the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alleviated liver injury. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that simvastatin treatment promoted CD4⁺ T cell apoptosis while significantly reducing the secretion of crucial inflammatory cytokines

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12904921 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature