In recent years, the rapid advancement of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics technologies has provided unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution for deciphering the dedifferentiation trajectories of VSMCs. These findings highlight the potential of folic acid and β‑aminoisobutyric acid to regulate VSMC phenotype by balancing amino acid metabolism and inflammation. Folic acid is a key regulator of nucleotide synthesis and methylation reactions. As atherosclerotic plaque formation and lipid deposition intensify, lipid abnormalities progressively emerge as key regulators of mid-to-late-stage phenotypic remodeling. Concurrently, glycolytic byproduct lactate promotes VSMC dedifferentiation by stabilizing HIF-1α, reinforcing the synthetic phenotype. Enhanced glucose metabolism promotes lipid synthesis and activates amino acid metabolism; disrupted lipid metabolism, in turn, negatively regulates glycolysis and amino acid utilization via ROS and ER stress, while amino acid metabolism provides compensatory substrates for impaired glucose and lipid metabolism during energy deficiency.
Non-coding RNAs, important epigenetic regulators, primarily include microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). Targeting key molecules within the NF-κB pathway—such as circACTA2 and HMGB1/2—may help preserve the contractile phenotype of VSMCs and offers promising therapeutic strategies for vascular remodeling–related diseases. A variety of stimuli can activate this pathway in VSMCs, promoting their transition to a synthetic phenotype and accelerating pathological remodeling. Elucidating its molecular mechanisms not only enhances our understanding of vascular remodeling but also provides a promising foundation for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing vascular graft failure and related pathologies. It involves the integration of multiple signaling pathways (MAPK, mTOR, NF-κB, TGF-β) and a complex network of non-coding RNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs), which collectively orchestrate the transition from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. The mechanism is initiated by endothelial dysfunction and amplified by the key driver PDGF-BB. A thorough understanding of PDGF-BB–mediated signaling pathways may provide essential theoretical support for the development of targeted therapies to prevent VGF.
Additionally, high homoarginine reinforces VSMCs osteogenic transition and vascular calcification given the background of hyperphosphatemia . Whereas, a recent study found that adventitial VSCs did not differentiate into the pathogenic VSMCs in atherosclerosis . Earlier studies believed that tunica adventitia derived mesenchymal-like VSMCs contribute to atherosclerotic plaque growth and CKD-induced vascular calcification . Once vascular injury occurred, VSCs migrate to the tunica media and differentiate into mesenchymal-like VSMCs for repairing . In addition to deriving from contractile VSMCs, Mesenchymal-like VSMCs can also derive from SCA1+ vascular stem cells (VSCs) originally located in the tunica adventitia. The potential plasticity shown by VSMCs is comprehensive and inherent, since VSMCs necessitate high abilities of proliferation, migration, and ECM secretion (such as collagen and elastin) in response to vascular morphogenesis and frequent vascular injury. Whereas, contractile VSMCs spontaneously modify their phenotype instantaneously to a highly synthetic phenotype when the vessel is physically or chemically damaged. In healthy adults, the vast majority of VSMCs are located in tunica media and represent quiescent contractile phenotype.
Changes in retardation with time when the chemical reagent was applied to the cell to alter the cellular contraction state. Under the assumption that the refractive index stays constant, retardation measurements provide information on the mechanical state. In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher. The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice.
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PDGF-BB, a key member of the PDGF family, is a peptide growth factor with diverse biological functions. In vitro studies have demonstrated that venous VSMCs are smaller, spindle-shaped, and exhibit enhanced proliferative and migratory potential. Commonly used vascular grafts in CABG include the left internal mammary artery (LIMA), radial artery (RA), and great saphenous vein (GSV). Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution to get full access on this article. If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Authors of the article cited in the comment will be invited to reply, as appropriate. ELetters should relate to an article recently published in the journal and are not a forum for providing unpublished data. Expression and promoter analysis of a highly restricted integrin alpha gene in vascular smooth muscle.
These findings are important for a better understanding of the complex pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which in turn can potentially inspire novel therapeutic strategies. In addition to the 2 types of VSMCs mentioned above, recent studies have uncovered a number of other phenotypes of VSMCs, which appear to exert diverse casino ooosch roles in atherosclerosis. Due to the strong plasticity of VSMC, it is feasible to treat vascular diseases by reversing VSMCs phenotype to contractile. For these life-threatening vascular diseases, existing treatments cannot reverse their aggravation. Importantly, the studies of VSMCs phenotypes provide new ideas and targets for pharmacological treatment.
Cholesterol‐induced phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells to macrophage/fibroblast‐like cells is driven by an unfolded protein response. Transdifferentiation of mouse aortic smooth muscle cells to a macrophage‐like state after cholesterol loading. Low LAL (lysosomal acid lipase) expression by smooth muscle cells relative to macrophages as a mechanism for arterial foam cell formation. Contribution of intimal smooth muscle cells to cholesterol accumulation and macrophage‐like cells in human atherosclerosis. BMAL1 modulates smooth muscle cells phenotypic switch towards fibroblast‐like cells and stabilizes atherosclerotic plaques by upregulating YAP1.
Discover the latest articles, books and news in related subjects, suggested using machine learning. New to the series this time around are Propaganda Missions, which give you a limited amount of time to sneak in and complete tasks. Like previous installments, stealth and sniping from afar are key to your success. With time-sensitive objectives, players must sneak, snipe and shoot, taking down enemies under certain conditions to complete their mission. Harry Hawker, agent of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), takes the lead role for the first time in the series as he discovers an insidious new Wunderwaffe—something so powerful, it guarantees the Nazis would win the war. Receive real-time notifications about updates and replies on your message board. Time flies when you are thrust into the French countryside in order to prevent wartime disaster.
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Adipocyte‐derived factors regulate vascular smooth muscle cells through mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors. Zhang F, Guo X, Xia Y, Mao L. An update on the phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Yoshida T, Yamashita M, Hayashi M. Kruppel‐like factor 4 contributes to high phosphate‐induced phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells into osteogenic cells. Nakahara T, Kawai‐Kowase K, Matsui H, Sunaga H, Utsugi T, Iso T, Arai M, Tomono S, Kurabayashi M. Fibroblast growth factor 23 inhibits osteoblastic gene expression and induces osteoprotegerin in vascular smooth muscle cells. Toll‐like receptor 4 mediated oxidized low‐density lipoprotein‐induced foam cell formation in vascular smooth muscle cells via Src and Sirt1/3 pathway. Burger F, Baptista D, Roth A, da Silva RF, Montecucco F, Mach F, Brandt KJ, Miteva K. NLRP3 inflammasome activation controls vascular smooth muscle cells phenotypic switch in atherosclerosis. Zhang Z, Huang J, Wang Y, Shen W. Transcriptome analysis revealed a two‐step transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells to macrophage‐like cells.
Differences Between Venous And Arterial Grafts
Several mouse lines for cell lineage tracing have been developed and used for studying VSMC phenotypic switching. In vitro studies have shown that VSMCs can be de‐differentiated to a myofibroblast‐like VSMC state by stimulating VSMCs with platelet‐derived growth factor and transforming growth factor‐β.21, 54 In vivo studies have suggested that myofibroblast‐like VSMCs are derived from a subset of tenascin C VSMCs recruited from the tunica media.55 Hao et al found a subpopulation of VSMCs in the intima of human atherosclerotic lesions that had reduced or completely lost expression of MYH11 and SMTN, and displayed characteristics of myofibroblasts.50 The myofibroblast cell is phenotypically intermediate between fibroblasts and VSMCs.51 Mechanistically, the study of Pan et al14 suggests that cellular retinoic acid binding protein 2, a transducer of retinoic acid signaling, is a master regulator of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and lymphocyte antigen 6 family member C1. Mechanistically, studies have suggested that during atherogenesis, KLF4 mediates VSMC transition from the contractile phenotype to mesenchymal‐like phenotype cells.8, 13, 44 KLF4 inhibits the expression of sex‐determining region Y‐box 9, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4, and S100 calcium‐binding protein B. Markers of the contractile phenotype include MYH11 (also known as smooth muscle myosin heavy chain 11), calponin, transgelin (also known as SM22α), myocardin, and α‐smooth muscle actin.11
