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Statin‐mediated cholesterol depletion exerts coordinated effects on the alterations in rat vascular smooth muscle cell biomechanics and migration
Author(s) -
Sanyour Hanna J.,
Li Na,
Rickel Alex P.,
Torres Haydee M.,
Anderson Ruthellen H.,
Miles Miranda R.,
Childs Josh D.,
Francis Kevin R.,
Tao Jianning,
Hong Zhongkui
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jp279528
Subject(s) - vascular smooth muscle , microbiology and biotechnology , extracellular matrix , focal adhesion , statin , cell adhesion , cytoskeleton , actin cytoskeleton , cell migration , chemistry , mechanotransduction , integrin , cell , cholesterol , biology , medicine , signal transduction , biochemistry , smooth muscle
Key points This study demonstrates and evaluates the changes in rat vascular smooth muscle cell biomechanics following statin‐mediated cholesterol depletion. Evidence is presented to show correlated changes in migration and adhesion of vascular smooth muscle cells to extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin and collagen. Concurrently, integrin α5 expression was enhanced but not integrin α2. Atomic force microscopy analysis provides compelling evidence of coordinated reduction in vascular smooth muscle cell stiffness and actin cytoskeletal orientation in response to statin‐mediated cholesterol depletion. Proof is provided that statin‐mediated cholesterol depletion remodels total vascular smooth muscle cell cytoskeletal orientation that may additionally participate in altering ex vivo aortic vessel function. It is concluded that statin‐mediated cholesterol depletion may coordinate vascular smooth muscle cell migration and adhesion to different extracellular matrix proteins and regulate cellular stiffness and cytoskeletal orientation, thus impacting the biomechanics of the cell.Abstract Not only does cholesterol induce an inflammatory response and deposits in foam cells at the atherosclerotic plaque, it also regulates cellular mechanics, proliferation and migration in atherosclerosis progression. Statins are HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors that are known to inhibit cellular cholesterol biosynthesis and are clinically prescribed to patients with hypercholesterolemia or related cardiovascular conditions. Nonetheless, the effect of statin‐mediated cholesterol management on cellular biomechanics is not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of fluvastatin‐mediated cholesterol management on primary rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) biomechanics. Real‐time measurement of cell adhesion, stiffness, and imaging were performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cellular migration on extra cellular matrix (ECM) protein surfaces was studied by time‐lapse imaging. The effect of changes in VSMC biomechanics on aortic function was assessed using an ex vivo myograph system. Fluvastatin‐mediated cholesterol depletion (‐27.8%) lowered VSMC migration distance on a fibronectin (FN)‐coated surface (‐14.8%) but not on a type 1 collagen (COL1)‐coated surface. VSMC adhesion force to FN (+33%) and integrin α5 expression were enhanced but COL1 adhesion and integrin α2 expression were unchanged upon cholesterol depletion. In addition, VSMC stiffness (‐46.6%) and ex vivo aortic ring contraction force (‐40.1%) were lowered and VSMC actin cytoskeletal orientation was reduced (‐24.5%) following statin‐mediated cholesterol depletion. Altogether, it is concluded that statin‐mediated cholesterol depletion may coordinate VSMC migration and adhesion to different ECM proteins and regulate cellular stiffness and cytoskeletal orientation, thus impacting the biomechanics of the cell and aortic function.