title: Adipose stem cell differentiation into smooth muscle cells.
abstract: The differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) into functional smooth muscle cells has received limited investigation. Various methodologies for both in vitro and in vivo differentiation is described. In vitro differentiation is obtained by either chemical or mechanical stimulation, and is determined by expression of smooth muscle cell markers. In vivo differentiation studies include animal models of cardiovascular disease and one study with urinary bladder reconstruction. The ease of obtaining an abundant number of ASCs render this cell population useful for potential vascular therapies that require autologous smooth muscle cells.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Kacey G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.forename: Candace A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Brayfield
authors.forename: J Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rubin
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism