title: The cytoskeleton of arterial smooth muscle cells during development, atheromatosis, and tissue culture.
abstract: Arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) assume cytoskeletal features of embryonic cells during human and experimental atheromatosis, as well as when placed in culture. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle (SM) actin can be used to monitor these changes. The synthesis of alpha-SM actin is decreased early after plating in cultured cells and early after endothelial lesion in animals. The amount of mRNA for alpha-SM actin is not affected in cultured cells, although it is drastically decreased in the carotid artery after endothelial injury. Heparin does not modify in vivo the early decrease of alpha-SM actin mRNA and synthesis, but, by inhibiting the entry of SMC into the S phase of the cell cycle, it produces an early reinduction of alpha-SM actin.
authors: Department of Pathology, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Rubbia
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Gabbiani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D024510:Muscle Development; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000254:growth & development / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats