Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells ASMC Transfection Kit

Description

Preclinical research plays a crucial role in understanding how our arteries react to different biological and chemical factors. This knowledge helps in developing innovative approaches to tackle cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells are derived from specific parts of the plaque-free aorta tissue, namely the tunica intima and tunica media. The tunica intima is the inner layer of the artery, consisting of a lining, connective tissue network, and elastic fibers. On the other hand, the tunica media, or middle coat, is primarily composed of smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers arranged in spiral layers.

Arterial Smooth Muscle Cell (ASMC) line is particularly useful for studying atherosclerosis, a vascular condition characterized by the narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of dead white blood cells, cholesterol, and crystallized salts. ASMC cells are capable of synthesizing collagen, elastin, myosin, and glycosaminoglycan. They respond to various factors by either proliferating or differentiating. These cells are extensively used in the study of human vascular disorders, including angiogenesis, stroke, vascular biology, and diabetes. It is worth noting that human aortic smooth muscle cells exhibit insulin resistance at the receptor level but are sensitive to IGF1 and IGF2. Additionally, the application of curcumin has been shown to inhibit the migration of these cells by suppressing the expression of MMP-9.

ASMC cells are commonly employed in research related to respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Specifically, they are utilized to investigate the mechanisms behind airway hyperresponsiveness, a characteristic feature of asthma that involves excessive airway constriction and narrowing in response to certain stimuli. ASMC cells are typically cultured as monolayers and express specific markers associated with smooth muscle differentiation, such as smooth muscle actin (SMA) and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC). They are also responsive to signaling molecules like histamine and acetylcholine, which induce airway constriction. Apart from respiratory diseases, ASMC cells have been used to explore the effects of potential therapeutic agents for asthma and other airway conditions. Furthermore, they have been instrumental in studying the interactions between airway smooth muscle cells and other cell types in the airway, including immune cells and epithelial cells.