title: Synthesis of immune modulators by smooth muscles.
abstract: The primary function of smooth muscle cells is to contract and alter the stiffness or diameter of hollow organs such as blood vessels, the airways and the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. In addition to purely structural functions, smooth muscle cells may play important metabolic roles, particularly in various inflammatory responses. In cell culture, these cells have been shown to be metabolically dynamic, synthesizing and secreting extracellular matrix proteins, glycosaminoglycans and a wide variety of cell-cell signaling proteins, such as interleukins, chemokines and peptide growth factors. Secreted cell signaling proteins participate in the inflammatory response of smooth muscle-containing organs, and some can also stimulate smooth muscle migration, proliferation and contraction. The cellular signaling pathways controlling synthesis of these signaling proteins are similar to those used by cells mediating innate immunity and may contribute to pathogenesis of diverse diseases including atherosclerosis, asthma, inflammatory bowel diseases and preterm labor. Appreciating the role of smooth muscle cells in these diseases may lead to better understanding of the beneficial effects of anti-inflammatory drugs as well as identification of new targets for anti-inflammatory therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557-0270, USA.
authors.forename: Cherie A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: Sonemany
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salinthone
authors.forename: Kimberly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: William T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Gerthoffer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis; D002455:Cell Division; D002465:Cell Movement; D018925:Chemokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007249:Inflammation; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines