Effects of fluvastatin on the expression of connective tissue growth factor and type IV collagen in mesangial cells induced by transforming growth factor-β1

Aim To investigate the effects of fluvastatin on the cellular proliferation and the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)and type Ⅳ collagen(Col Ⅳ)in rat mesangial cells(MCs)induced by transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1).Methods MCs are divided into the following groups according to different factors:control group,TGF-β1 group,TGF-β1 plus fluvastatin(Flu,different concentrations)groups.The influence of Flu on rat proliferation of MCs was detected by MTT.The expression of CTGF was measured with RT-PCR and Western blot respectively.The secretion of Col Ⅳ protein was quantitated by ELISA.Results 5 μg·L-1 TGF-β1 could stimulate proliferation of MCs and the expression of CTGF.Col Ⅳ in MCs significantly.Flu could inhibit proliferation of MCs and the expression of CTGF,Col Ⅳ in MCs induced by TGF-β1 in a dose-dependent manner:1 μmol·L-1 Flu could suppress proliferation of MCs and downregulate the expression of CTGF,Col Ⅳ significantly,while 10 μmol·L-1 Flu could just suppress the expression of CTGF protein significantly.Simultaneously exogenous CTGF could promote the expression of Col Ⅳ in a dose-dependent manner:2.5 μg·L-1 CTGF could just upregulate the expression of Col Ⅳ.Conclusion Fluvastatin could inhibit proliferation of MCs and expression of CTGF-mediated Col Ⅳ in MCs.