Open AccessResident phenotypically modulated vascular smooth muscle cells in healthy human arteries
Author(s) -
Harhun Maksym I.,
Huggins Christopher L.,
Ratnasingham Kumaran,
Raje Durgesh,
Moss Ray F.,
Szewczyk Kinga,
Vasilikostas Georgios,
Greenwood Iain A.,
Khong Teck K.,
Wan Andrew,
Reddy Marcus
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2012.01609.x
Subject(s) - calponin , vascular smooth muscle , filopodia , myosin , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , actin , cell , myosin light chain kinase , anatomy , endocrinology , smooth muscle , biochemistry
Vascular interstitial cells ( VIC s) are non‐contractile cells with filopodia previously described in healthy blood vessels of rodents and their function remains unknown. The objective of this study was to identify VIC s in human arteries and to ascertain their role. VIC s were identified in the wall of human gastro‐omental arteries using transmission electron microscopy. Isolated VIC s showed ability to form new and elongate existing filopodia and actively change body shape. Most importantly sprouting VIC s were also observed in cell dispersal. RT ‐ PCR performed on separately collected contractile vascular smooth muscle cells ( VSMC s) and VIC s showed that both cell types expressed the gene for smooth muscle myosin heavy chain ( SM ‐ MHC ). Immunofluorescent labelling showed that both VSMC s and VIC s had similar fluorescence for SM ‐ MHC and α SM ‐actin, VIC s, however, had significantly lower fluorescence for smoothelin, myosin light chain kinase, h‐calponin and SM 22α. It was also found that VIC s do not have cytoskeleton as rigid as in contractile VSMC s. VIC s express number of VSMC ‐specific proteins and display features of phenotypically modulated VSMC s with increased migratory abilities. VIC s, therefore represent resident phenotypically modulated VSMC s that are present in human arteries under normal physiological conditions.