Inhibition of cultured vascular smooth muscle cell migration by simvastatin (MK-733).

The effect of simvastatin (MK-733), a potent 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, on the migration of cultured porcine smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was investigated in modified Boyden chambers. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated the SMC migration dose dependently. MK-733 inhibited the migration response induced by PDGF with an IC50 value of 2 microM. Supplementation with mevalonate restored the migration response inhibited by MK-733 but the addition of low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) did not change the response. Another HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, pravastatin (CS-514), also reduced the migration response. However its potency was far less than that of MK-733. MK-733 also inhibited the SMC migration stimulated by fibrinogen. These results suggest that non-sterol metabolite(s) of mevalonate, possibly prenylated proteins, are involved in a migration signaling pathway and that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are effective in the prevention of the formation of intimal hyperplasia in atherosclerosis.