Simvastatin inhibits sphingosylphosphorylcholine-induced differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into smooth muscle cells.

ABSTRACT: Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) induces differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) into smooth muscle-like cells expressing ?-smooth muscle actin (?-SMA) via transforming growth factor-?1/Smad2- and RhoA/Rho kinase-dependent mechanisms. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl- coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been known to have beneficial effects in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we examined the effects of simvastatin on the SPC-induced ?-SMA expression and Smad2 phosphorylation in hASCs. Simvastatin inhibited the SPC-induced ?-SMA expression and sustained phosphorylation of Smad2 in hASCs. SPC treatment caused RhoA activation via a simvastatin-sensitive mechanism. The SPC-induced ?-SMA expression and Smad2 phosphorylation were abrogated by pretreatment of the cells with the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 or overexpression of a dominant negative RhoA mutant. Furthermore, SPC induced secretion of TGF-?1 and pretreatment with either Y27632 or simvastatin inhibited the SPC-induced TGF-?1 secretion. These results suggest that simvastatin inhibits SPC-induced differentiation of hASCs into smooth muscle cells by attenuating the RhoA/Rho kinase-dependent activation of autocrine TGF-?1/Smad2 signaling pathway.

SUBMITTER: Kim KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3296812 | biostudies-other | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other