Mevinolin enhances osteogenic genes (ALP, type I collagen and osteocalcin), CD44, CD47 and CD51 expression during osteogenic differentiation

Aims: In this study, we evaluated the effect of mevinolin on the expressions of osteogenic genes and surface molecules expression during osteogenesis. Main methods: D1 cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium (ODM) for 6 days, treated with mevinolin for 2 days, and then subjected to alizarin red S staining, MTT assays, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity determinations, energy dispersive X-ray spectrophotometry (EDX), real-time PCR, Western blot, fluorescence microscopy and FACS analysis. Key findings: Mevinolin is commonly prescribed and widely used to lower cholesterol levels, and offers an important, effective approach to the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and arteriosclerosis. However, the direct effect of mevinolin on osteogenesis in vitro has not been clarified. ODM has been previously shown to increase the osteoblast differentiation of D1 cells. In the present study, we investigated the expressions of osteogenic genes and surface molecules during osteoblast differentiation induced by mevinolin. We found that the induction of ALP, type 1 collagen, osteocalcin, CD44, CD47 and CD51 by mevinolin is responsible for the osteoblastic differentiation of D1 cells. Significance: Our data show that mevinolin enhances the expressions of proteins and surface molecules related to osteogenesis. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.