辛伐他汀对动脉粥样硬化斑块内巨噬细胞MMP-3表达的影响

The Effect of Simvastatin on Expression of MMP-3 in Macrophgages from Experimental Atheroma

目的:观察辛伐他汀对动脉粥样硬化斑块内巨噬细胞MMP-3表达的影响。方法:在新西兰大白兔动脉粥样硬化模型基础上,分离、培养动脉粥样硬化斑块内巨噬细胞,应用免疫组化、RT-PCR及Western Blotting等方法观察辛伐他汀对巨噬细胞MMP-3表达的影响。结果:辛伐他汀能够明显抑制斑块内巨噬细胞MMP-3的表达,但对MMP-3 mRNA的表达无明显影响。结论:辛伐他汀具有独立于其系统性降脂作用之外的稳定动脉粥样硬化斑块的作用,此抑制作用可能不在基因转录水平,而是影响其后转录过程。

Objective: This study investigated the effects of simvastatin on MMP-3 expression in macrophages isolated from experimental atheroma. Methods: We isolated lipid-laden macrophages from rabbit aortic atherosclerotic lesions produced by a combination of hypercholesterolemia and balloon injury. We studied the influence of simvastatin on the expression of MMP-3 in macrophages with immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and western blotting. Results: Simvastatin may reduce the expression of MMP-3 in macrophages, but has no influence on the expression of MMP-3 mRNA. Conclusions: Statins may play an important role in the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque by reducing the expression of MMPs in macrophages, which was independent of its lipid-lowering effects, and simvastatin maybe act on the posttranscriptional process, but not posttranscrip-tional process.