Replication of Smooth Muscle Cells in Vascular Disease

• Published in: Circulation research Vol. 58; no. 4; pp. 427 - 444
• Main Authors: Schwartz, Stephen M, Campbell, Gordon R, Campbell, Julie H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD American Heart Association, Inc 01-04-1986; Lippincott
• Subjects: Actins - metabolism; Animals; Arteries - metabolism; Arteries - pathology; Arteriosclerosis - metabolism; Arteriosclerosis - pathology; Arteriosclerosis - physiopathology; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cell Division; DNA Replication; Humans; Hypertension - metabolism; Hypertension - pathology; Hypertension - physiopathology; Intermediate Filament Proteins - metabolism; Medical sciences; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - metabolism; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - pathology; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - physiopathology; Myosins - metabolism; Phenotype; Human; Hypertension; Pathology; Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Smooth muscle; Artery
• ISSN: 0009-7330; 1524-4571
• DOI: 10.1161/01.res.58.4.427

Smooth muscle proliferation has been recognized as central to the pathology of both major forms of vascular diseaseatherosclerosis and hypertension. Recent advances in our knowledge of mechanisms of control of proliferation suggest that events occurring in adult animals may recapitulate portions of the developmental biology of the smooth muscle cell. This review attempts to consider the current state of knowledge of the mechanisms controlling smooth muscle proliferation in these two diseases, to put that knowledge into the context of what is known about smooth muscle biology, and to offer two hypotheses on the possible roles of smooth muscle developmental biology in manifestations of atherosclerosis and hypertension in adult humans.