Biomaterial Database

Inhibition of systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblast type I collagen production and gene expression by simvastatin. 2006

Natalia Louneva, and Gonzalo Huaman, and Joanna Fertala, and Sergio A Jiménez

Thomas Jefferson University, Division of Rheumatology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-5541, USA.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether statins are capable of modulating collagen gene expression in cultured systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts. METHODS Cultured dermal fibroblasts from 3 patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis of recent onset were treated with 5 microM and 10 microM of simvastatin for 3 or 4 days. Morphologic features, cytotoxicity, and type I collagen production and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in the fibroblasts were examined. The effects of mevalonate, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), and farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), which are lipids downstream from the hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A block, were also examined. Transient transfections with COL1A1 promoter-reporter constructs and electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays were utilized to examine COL1A1 transcription and Sp1 and CCAAT-box binding factor (CBF) binding. RESULTS Simvastatin did not cause morphologic changes or cytotoxicity in the fibroblasts, even after 4 days of treatment. Type I collagen production and mRNA levels showed a potent and dose-related inhibition following 3 and 4 days of treatment. The inhibition of collagen gene expression by simvastatin was completely reversed by mevalonate and GGPP, but not by FPP. The statin effects occurred at the transcriptional level and involved the proximal COL1A1 promoter region encompassing -174 bp. A significant reduction in Sp1 and CBF binding activity was also found in simvastatin-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS Simvastatin is a powerful inhibitor of type I collagen gene expression in normal and systemic sclerosis fibroblasts. The pleiotropic protective effects of statins on various endothelial and immune cell functions in conjunction with their potent inhibitory effects on type I collagen gene expression suggest that statins may be effective therapeutic agents in systemic sclerosis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D005347	Fibroblasts	Connective tissue cells which secrete an extracellular matrix rich in collagen and other macromolecules.	Fibroblast
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012595	Scleroderma, Systemic	A chronic multi-system disorder of CONNECTIVE TISSUE. It is characterized by SCLEROSIS in the SKIN, the LUNGS, the HEART, the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, the KIDNEYS, and the MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM. Other important features include diseased small BLOOD VESSELS and AUTOANTIBODIES. The disorder is named for its most prominent feature (hard skin), and classified into subsets by the extent of skin thickening: LIMITED SCLERODERMA and DIFFUSE SCLERODERMA.	Sclerosis, Systemic,Systemic Scleroderma,Systemic Sclerosis
D012867	Skin	The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.
D015870	Gene Expression	The phenotypic manifestation of a gene or genes by the processes of GENETIC TRANSCRIPTION and GENETIC TRANSLATION.	Expression, Gene,Expressions, Gene,Gene Expressions
D019161	Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors	Compounds that inhibit HYDROXYMETHYLGLUTARYL COA REDUCTASES. They have been shown to directly lower CHOLESTEROL synthesis.	HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor,HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors,Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitor,Statin,Statins, HMG-CoA,Inhibitors, HMG-CoA Reductase,Inhibitors, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA,Inhibitors, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-Coenzyme A,Statins,HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitor,HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors,HMG-CoA Statins,Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductase Inhibitor,Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductase Inhibitors,Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Inhibitors,Hydroxymethylglutaryl-Coenzyme A Inhibitors,Inhibitors, HMG CoA Reductase,Inhibitors, Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA,Inhibitors, Hydroxymethylglutaryl Coenzyme A,Inhibitors, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase,Reductase Inhibitor, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA,Reductase Inhibitors, HMG-CoA,Reductase Inhibitors, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA,Statins, HMG CoA
D019821	Simvastatin	A derivative of LOVASTATIN and potent competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HYDROXYMETHYLGLUTARYL COA REDUCTASES), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. It may also interfere with steroid hormone production. Due to the induction of hepatic LDL RECEPTORS, it increases breakdown of LDL CHOLESTEROL.	MK-733,Synvinolin,Zocor,MK 733,MK733
D024042	Collagen Type I	The most common form of fibrillar collagen. It is a major constituent of bone (BONE AND BONES) and SKIN and consists of a heterotrimer of two alpha1(I) and one alpha2(I) chains.	Type 1 Collagen,Type I Collagen,Collagen, Type 1,Collagen, Type I