Inhibition of endothelial cell migration by cerivastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor: contribution to its anti-angiogenic effect

Recent studies have suggested that inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (statins) can play a role in protection against vascular risk, which is independent of cholesterol reduction. It could act by inhibiting the synthesis of isoprenoids (farnesylpyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranylpyrophosphate (GGPP)), which are respectively essential for membrane attachment and biological activity of GTPases Ras and RhoA. This study demonstrates that a statin (cerivastatin) inhibits angiogenesis, This effect was due to a decrease in endothelial cell locomotion which was reversed by GGPP, It was mainly related to delocalization of RhoA from cell membrane to cytoplasm, responsible for the disorganization of actin stress fibers. Furthermore, a decrease in MMP-2 secretion, involved in cell invasion, mas also observed. This effect is rather due to Ras inhibition as it was reversed by FPP, This antiangiogenic activity could explain the beneficial effect of statins on atherosclerosis and on cancer prevention as shown by clinical studies. (C) 2001 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.