Artery-Blocking Cells Circulate in the Blood

The research was reported in the August 19, 2002, online edition of Circulation.

The existence of circulating SPCs had been suspected due to the many smooth muscle cells seen in atherosclerotic plaques or in restenosis after angioplasty, but so far they had proven difficult to detect.

In the current study, investigators from the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, USA) demonstrated that isolated human white blood cells grown under the proper conditions could yield a subpopulation that would differentiate into smooth muscle cells. Analysis of these cells showed that they contained proteins such as actin, myosin heavy chain, and calponin--all typical of smooth muscle. The SOCs also had adhesive properties capable of directing the cells to areas of vessel blockages.

Understanding how SPCs change into SOCs is the first step toward developing methods to prevent accumulation of smooth muscle tissue within the arteries or in implanted stents, say the researchers.




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