Simvastatin alters fibroblastic cell responses involved in tissue repair

Statins have been used to control hypercholesterolemia. However, these drugs also exert pleiotropic effects that include the modulation of inflammation and cell signaling. The present study has analyzed the effects of simvastatin on several cell responses involved in tissue repair, including cell adhesion, cell migration and invasion, actin cytoskeleton remodeling and cell viability.

Primary cultures of gingival fibroblasts were stimulated with simvastatin. Cell adhesion was evaluated using a colorimetric assay. Cell spreading was evaluated microscopically. Cell migration and invasion were assessed using a scratch wound-healing assay and a bicameral cell culture system, respectively. Changes in actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion assembly were evaluated through immunofluorescence for actin, vinculin and active β1 integrin. Rac activation was evaluated by means of a pull-down assay. Cell viability was assessed using a colorimetric assay that determines mitochondrial functionality. Data analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test.

Simvastatin diminished cell adhesion and spreading over a fibronectin matrix. It also altered the closure of scratch wounds induced on cell monolayers and cell invasion through a Transwell system. Simvastatin-treated cells displayed an altered lamellipodia with poorly developed focal adhesion contacts and reduced levels of β1 integrin activation. During cell spreading, simvastatin diminished Rac activation.

The present study shows that simvastatin may alter cell migration by disrupting the cell signaling networks that regulate the actin cytoskeleton dynamics. This mechanism may affect the response of gingival mesenchymal cells during wound healing.