Micromanaging vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation and phenotypic modulation

BN Davis-Dusenbery, C Wu, A Hata - … , thrombosis, and vascular …, 2011 - Am Heart Assoc
Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology, 2011Am Heart Assoc
The phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is dynamically regulated in
response to various stimuli. In a cellular process known as phenotype switching, VSMCs
alternate between a contractile and synthetic phenotype state. Deregulation of phenotype
switching is associated with vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, restenosis after
angioplasty, and pulmonary hypertension. An important role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in
VSMC development and phenotype switching has recently been uncovered. Individual …
The phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is dynamically regulated in response to various stimuli. In a cellular process known as phenotype switching, VSMCs alternate between a contractile and synthetic phenotype state. Deregulation of phenotype switching is associated with vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, restenosis after angioplasty, and pulmonary hypertension. An important role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in VSMC development and phenotype switching has recently been uncovered. Individual miRNAs are involved in promoting both contractile and synthetic VSMC phenotype. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of miRNA function in the regulation of VSMC phenotype regulation.
Am Heart Assoc