Smooth muscle progenitor cells in vascular disease.
Vascular smooth muscle cells have long been described as phenotypically diverse, with some populations possessing the potential for monoclonal expansion within the adult vessel wall. Recent experimental and human data suggest a potential role in atherosclerotic plaque, transplant arteriopathy, and angiogenesis biology for putative smooth muscle progenitor cells in the circulation, adult tissues, and the perivascular adventitia. The location, mobilization, and function of such progenitors is still poorly understood, but may include reparative or alternatively proliferative consequences for plaque development and progression. These observations provide a platform for re-evaluation of smooth muscle cell heterogeneity and progenitor biology in atherosclerosis, with implications for diagnosis and therapy of vascular disease.
Liu
Chunsheng
C
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Internal Medicine and the Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Nath
Karl A
KA
Katusic
Zvonimir S
ZS
Caplice
Noel M
NM
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*