[Smooth muscle cells of the arteries and arteriosclerosis].

The review presents information on proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) of the arterial wall as the key moment in atherogenesis. Some factors influencing SMC proliferation as well as some aspects of SMC biology the knowledge of which is necessary for better understanding of some current hypotheses of atherosclerosis are considered. SMC proliferation has been recognized as the main cause of atherosclerosis relatively recently. Each of the original theories or hypotheses of the atherosclerosis pathogenesis under consideration is focused on different factors underlying SMC proliferation and deals with the problems the resolution of which helps better understanding of the causes and genesis of this disease.