The arterial smooth muscle cell in systemic hypertension.
Both the pathogenesis and vascular complications of hypertension appear to involve change in vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) structure and function. Recent data on vascular SMC biology are reviewed. Specific questions that should be addressed by future research on SMC polyploidy in hypertension; SMC differentiation, growth and function; SMC hypertrophy and hyperplasia in hypertension; and hypertension, vascular aging and atherogenesis are posed.
Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts 02118.
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AV
Chobanian
D000818:Animals; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats