Statins downregulate ATP-binding-cassette transporter A1 gene expression in macrophages

The ATP-binding-cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) plays an essential role in cellular cholesterol efflux and helps prevent macrophages from becoming foam cells. The statins are widely used as cholesterol-lowering agents and have other anti-atherogenic actions. We tested the effects of four different statins (fluvastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin, and lovastatin) on ABCA1 expression in macrophages in vitro. The statins suppressed ABCA1 mRNA expression in RAW246.7 and THP-1 macrophage cell lines and in mouse peritoneal macrophages. The effect was time- and dose-dependent and was abolished by the addition of the post-reductase product, mevalonate. These findings imply that there is a possible modulation of the well-known beneficial effects of the statins on the reverse cholesterol transport pathway.