Statin Suppresses Apoptosis in Osteoblastic Cells: Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β-Smad3 Pathway

Abstract

Statins possess pleiotropic effects in several tissues. Among them, their bone anabolic actions have been recently noted. We have proposed that Smad3, a TGF-β-signaling molecule, is a promoter of bone formation. However, whether statins would affect TGF-β-Smad3 pathway in osteoblasts is still unknown. The present study was performed to examine the effects of statin on Smad3 expression and cell apoptosis by employing mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 and rat osteoblastic UMR-106 cells. Statins (pitavastatin, mevastatin, and simvastatin) as well as alendronate increased the levels of Smad3 in MC3T3-E1 cells. The effects of pitavastatin on Smad3 levels were observed from 3 hours and later. Pitavastatin induced the expression of TGF-β, and cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, antagonized the increased levels of pitavastatin on Smad3. On the other hand, pitavastatin antagonized dexamethasone- or etoposide-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, and Smad3 inactivation by dominant negative Smad3 or an inhibition of endogenous TGF-β action by SB431542 antagonized anti-apoptotic effects of pitavastatin, indicating that pitavastatin suppressed osteoblast apoptosis partly through TGF-β-Smad3 pathway. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated for the first time that statin suppressed cell apoptosis partly through TGF-β-Smad3 pathway in osteoblastic cells.

Key words

statin - Smad3 - osteoblast - TGF-β - apoptosis

References

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