Transcriptomic analysis reveals a statin-induced core molecular signature in human iPSC-CMs

Statins prevent cardiovascular disease via their salutary function as inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis and mediators of pleiotropic effects on the cardiovascular system. The current study focuses on the class effect of statins on the transcriptome of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs), applied at serum peak concentrations. We report a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of iPSC-CMs derived from four healthy donors and different differentiation batches following treatment with fluvastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, and lovastatin. Our data display dynamic transcriptional networks and reveal a statin-induced molecular signature in iPSC-CMs independent of genetic background and technical variability. Finally, in-depth pathway enrichment analysis uncovers that all statins affect mainly metabolic properties of iPSC-CMs and particularly the regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis and fatty acid metabolism. Our study provides a global insight into the cardiomyocyte effects of statins revealing novel aspects of their role on cardiomyocyte metabolic regulation, when applied at clinically relevant concentrations. Overall design: RNA profiling of 20 samples of statin- and vehicle (DMSO)-treated human iPSC-CMs