title: Vascular smooth muscle cells in cerebral aneurysm pathogenesis.
abstract: Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) maintain significant plasticity. Following environmental stimulation, SMC can alter their phenotype from one primarily concerned with contraction to a pro-inflammatory and matrix remodeling phenotype. This is a critical process behind peripheral vascular disease and atherosclerosis, a key element of cerebral aneurysm pathology. Evolving evidence demonstrates that SMCs and phenotypic modulation play a significant role in cerebral aneurysm formation and rupture. Pharmacological alteration of smooth muscle cell function and phenotypic modulation could provide a promising medical therapy to inhibit cerebral aneurysm progression. This study reviews vascular SMC function and its contribution to cerebral aneurysm pathophysiology.
authors: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors: Robert M
authors: RM
authors: Starke
authors: Nohra
authors: N
authors: Chalouhi
authors: Dale
authors: D
authors: Ding
authors: Daniel M S
authors: DM
authors: Raper
authors: M Sean
authors: MS
authors: Mckisic
authors: Gary K
authors: GK
authors: Owens
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Hasan
authors: Ricky
authors: R
authors: Medel
authors: Aaron S
authors: AS
authors: Dumont
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*