Vascular smooth muscle cells cultured on elastin membranes.

Smooth muscle cells from thoracic aortas of 12-week-old rats were cultured on elastin membranes for up to 21 days. The cell cultures were examined using light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The contractile phenotype characteristic for resident arterial wall muscle cell changed to the synthetic phenotype. In the synthetic state, the muscle cells contain few filaments, but a substantial amount of organelles are involved with synthesis. The cells grown on elastin substrates showed a multilayered pattern with the formation of nodules. Cell degeneration was present from day eight and increased with time. At the end of the experiment, the center of the multilayered areas showed degenerative changes with numerous foam cells of smooth muscle origin, areas of necrosis and a considerable amount of calcium deposit. Our experimental model would be valuable in the investigation of the pathological changes associated with smooth muscle cell proliferation in vessels.