Statins Disrupt CCR5 and RANTES Expression Levels in CD4.sup.+ T Lymphocytes In Vitro and Preferentially Decrease Infection of R5 Versus X4 HIV-1

Background Statins have previously been shown to reduce the in vitro infection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) through modulation of Rho GTPase activity and lipid raft formation at the cell surface, as well as by disrupting LFA-1 incorporation into viral particles. Principle Findings Here we demonstrate that treatment of an enriched CD4.sup.+ lymphocyte population with lovastatin (Lov), mevastatin (Mev) and simvastatin (activated and non-activated, Sim(A) and Sim(N), respectively) can reduce the cell surface expression of the CC-chemokine receptor CCR5 (P