Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Isolation of Human Umbilical Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells (HUASMC)
Published on: July 3, 2010
Culture of human smooth muscle cells
1Department of Medicine, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract:
The wall of a human artery consists of three distinct tunics. The tunica intima is lined by a layer of endothelial cells facing the lumen. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the predominant cell type in the tunica media of arteries. They are surrounded by a basal lamina containing collagen IV, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, glycoproteins, and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules: collagens type 1, III, V, and VI, and elastin. The external tunica adventitia consists primarily of collagen fibers, elastic tissue, and fibroblasts. Because smooth muscle cells play a dominant role in the development of intimal hyperplasia during atherosclerosis, these cells have been studied extensively in vitro.
More Related Videos
11:47Construction of a Human Aorta Smooth Muscle Cell Organ-On-A-Chip Model for Recapitulating Biomechanical Strain in the Aortic Wall
Published on: July 6, 2022
08:28Isolation of Primary Patient-specific Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells and Semiquantitative Real-time Contraction Measurements In Vitro
Published on: February 15, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles
Structure of smooth muscle cell
Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped with tapering ends and a...
Smooth Muscle Contraction
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...
Functions of Smooth Muscles
Function of visceral smooth muscles
Visceral smooth muscle is found in the walls of all hollow organs, except the heart, and is a key player in the involuntary movements that drive the functioning of these internal organs. This tissue is arranged in...