Effects of simvastatin on the osteogenic differentiation and immunomodulation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of simvastatin on the bone differentiation capacity and immunological characteristics of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). BMSCs were isolated and cultured in medium containing 1.0 µmol/ml simvastatin. The alkaline phosphatase activity, mRNA expression levels of osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein, and calcium nodule formation were assessed to determine the osteogenic differentiation capability of BMSCs. To investigate alterations in the immunological properties of simvastation‑treated BMSCs, the immunogenicity of these cells and the effect of BMSCs on phytohemagglutinin‑stimulated lymphocyte proliferation were also assessed. Following treatment with simvastatin, the alkaline phosphatase activity, and mRNA expression levels of osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein were increased significantly in the BMSCs. In addition, von Kossa staining revealed a brown calcium‑positive reaction zone in simvastatin‑treated cells. Simvastatin‑induced BMSCs revealed no affect on the proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes, however, inhibited phytohemagglutinin‑induced lymphocyte proliferation. Collectively, simvastatin promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs significantly without affecting their immunosuppressive properties.