Arterial and venous smooth muscle cell proliferation in response to co-culture with arterial and venous endothelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
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).


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 < or = .001) and a 15%-37% increase in V-SMC (P < or = .001) proliferation. Saphenous vein ECs induced a 50%-71% increase in A-SMC (P < or = .001) and a 40%-62% increase in V-SMC (P < or = .001) proliferation. The small proliferative difference between A-SMCs and V-SMCs was significant for co-culture with A-ECs (P < or = .001) and V-ECs (P < or = .001). Of note, compared to A-ECs, V-ECs induced a significantly greater A-SMC (P < or = .001) and V-SMC (P < or = .001) proliferative response.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Waybill
P N
PN
Department of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Pennsylvania State University Hospital, Hershey 17033, USA.
Hopkins
L J
LJ
D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D024510:Muscle Development; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000166:cytology*
D003470:Culture Media