Publication: Phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells during formation of neointimal thickenings following vascular injury
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Date
1998
Authors
Thyberg, J.
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Publisher
Murcia : F. Hernández
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DOI
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info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells build up the media of
mammalian arteries and constitute one of the principal
cell types in atherosclerotic and restenotic lesions.
Accordingly, they show a high degree of plasticity and
are able to shift from a differentiated, contractile phenotype
to a less differentiated, synthetic phenotype, and
then back again. This modulation occurs as a response to
vascular injury and includes a prominent structural
reorganization with loss of myofilaments and formation
of an extensive endoplasmic reticulum and a large Golgi
complex. At the same time, the expression of cytoskeletal
proteins and other gene products is altered. As a
result, the cells lose their contractility and become able
to migrate from the media to the intima, proliferate, and
secrete extracellular matrix components, thereby
contributing to the formation of intimal thickenings. The
mechanisms behind this change in morphology
and function of the smooth muscle cells are still
incompletely understood. A crucial role has been
ascribed to basement membrane proteins such as laminin
and collagen type IV and adhesive proteins such as
fibronectin. A significant role is also played by
mitogenic proteins such as platelet-derived growth factor
(PDGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). An
improved knowledge of the regulation of smooth muscle
differentiated properties represents an important part in
the search for new methods of prevention and treatment
of vascular disease.
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