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  • Title: Lovastatin alters TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in porcine lens epithelial cells.
    Author: Urakami C, Kurosaka D, Tamada K, Kishimoto S, Tezuka Y, Nishigori H.
    Journal: Curr Eye Res; 2012 Jun; 37(6):479-85. PubMed ID: 22577765.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: To determine whether lovastatin affects the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in porcine lens epithelial cells (LECs) induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Porcine LECs were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) for 24 h. The cultured cells were then exposed or not exposed to lovastatin (10 µM) for 18 h and then stimulated with or not stimulated with TGF-β2 (5 ng/ml) for 24 h. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of myofibroblasts, was determined by real-time PCR, and the expression of α-SMA protein was determined by Western blot. The effect of lovastatin on the expression of the mRNA of collagen type 1 (COL1) was determined by real-time PCR. To assess cell contractility, LECs were cultured in collagen gel with or without pretreatment of lovastatin and exposure of TGF-β2. The longest and shortest diameters of the gels were measured and the area was determined. RESULTS: Exposure of LECs to TGF-β2 increased the expression of the mRNA and protein of α-SMA and the mRNA of COL1A1. TGF-β2 increased the degree of contraction of collagen gel. These findings indicated that TGF-β2 promoted EMT, and the pretreatment of the LECs with lovastatin blocked these changes induced by TGF-β2. CONCLUSION: Lovastatin inhibits the TGF-β-induced EMT of cultured porcine LECs. This suggests that lovastatin should be considered as a new agent to prevent postoperative complications associated with EMT of LECs.
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