Figure 1

Effect of statins on DNA synthesis in human PASMCs. (A-B) Inhibition of DNA synthesis, assessed by PDGF-stimulated (5 ng/ml) [³H-methyl]-thymidine incorporation, by statins with rank-order of potency simvastatin = fluvastatin > atorvastatin > > pravastatin. (C-D) Effect of NO-releasing derivative of pravastatin (NCX 6550), fluvastatin and NO-releasing derivative of fluvastatin (NCX 6553) and prevention by mevalonate (MVA, 100 μM). MVA alone had no significant effect on DNA synthesis in SF and PDGF-stimulated cells. Data are mean ± SEM from 3-4 distinct PASMC isolates (A-B, D) or replicate values (n = 6) representative of independent experiments (C), using IPAH (B, D), and non-IPAH (A, C) cells. SF = serum-free untreated controls.