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Arterial and Venous Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation in Response to Co-culture with Arterial and Venous Endothelial Cells

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1051-0443(99)70191-0Get rights and content

Purpose

To determine whether definable differences exist between arterial and venous smooth muscle cells (SMCs), as measured by proliferative response to co-culture with arterial or venous endothelial cells (ECs).

Materials and Methods

Human aortic ECs (A-ECs) and saphenous vein ECs (V-ECs) were cultured opposite either aortic SMCs (A-SMCs) or saphenous vein SMCs (V-SMCs). At selected time intervals, SMCs were counted by fluorescence microscopy.

Results

In the presence of an intact EC monolayer, A-ECs induced a 9%–31% increase in A-SMC (P ≤ .001) and a 15%–37% increase in V-SMC (P ≤ .001) proliferation. Saphenous vein ECs induced a 50%–71% increase in A-SMC (P ≤ .001) and a 40%–62% increase in V-SMC (P ≤ .001) proliferation. The small proliferative difference between A-SMCs and V-SMCs was significant for co-culture with A-ECs (P ≤ .001) and V-ECs (P ≤ .001). Of note, compared to A-ECs, V-ECs induced a significantly greater A-SMC (P ≤ .001) and V-SMC (P ≤ .001) proliferative response.

Conclusion

A small, but definable, difference exists between A-SMCs and V-SMCs, as measured by proliferative response in co-culture with A-ECs and V-ECs.

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  • Cited by (18)

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      SMC/EC coculture has been shown to dramatically alter the proliferative response of ECs to various stimuli including shear stress [126, 127]. The response is also dependent upon the culture media [128], substrate [128], and type of cells used (venous versus arterial) [129]. A more accurate description of the mitigating effects of shear stress on atherogenesis requires continued research using more physiological model systems such as three-dimensional EC/SMC coculture [126, 127], ex vivo experimental preparations [130, 131], and in vivo trials.

    • Engineering of Small Diameter Vessels

      2007, Principles of Regenerative Medicine
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    From the Department of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Room HG 315 D, Pennsylvania State University Hospital, Hershey, PA 17033.

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