Effect of lovastatin on coxsackievirus B3 infection in human endothelial cells.

Objective: The coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) mediates the entry of coxsackievirus B (CVB) and adenovirus into host cells and is, therefore, a key determinant for the molecular pathogenesis of viral diseases such as myocarditis. The aim was to investigate the influence of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin on CAR expression in endothelial cells.

Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to different concentrations of lovastatin (0.

Antiviral effect of Bosentan and Valsartan during coxsackievirus B3 infection of human endothelial cells.

In viral myocarditis, adeno- and enteroviruses have most commonly been implicated as causes of infection. Both viruses require the human coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR) to infect the myocardium. Due to its crucial role for viral entry, CAR-downregulation may lead to novel approaches for treatment for viral myocarditis.