Umbilical Vein Smooth Muscle Cells (UVSMC)

Vascular smooth muscle refers to the particular type of smooth muscle found within, and composing the majority of the wall of blood vessels. Vascular smooth muscle contracts or relaxes to change both the volume of blood vessels and the local blood pressure, a mechanism that is responsible for the redistribution of the blood within the body to areas where it is needed.

Vascular smooth muscle cells express ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, can promote the inflammatory reaction of vascular wall, and may be involved in the development of vascular disease. Studies show that human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells (UVSMC) are capable of initiating the extrinsic coagulation cascade, leading to the formation of thrombin which promotes clotting and stimulates DNA synthesis. Cultured human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells are isolated from the umbilical vein tissue, plays an important role in the identification of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of venous diseases.