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Related Concept Videos

Smooth Muscle Contraction01:25

Smooth Muscle Contraction

Smooth muscle contraction is a complex process vital for various bodily functions, from maintaining blood vessel tension to facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract. Unlike striated muscles, smooth muscle contraction begins more slowly and lasts longer.
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...
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll01:11

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...
Functions of Smooth Muscles01:23

Functions of Smooth Muscles

Smooth muscles are an important type of muscle tissue that plays a vital role in the involuntary movements of internal organs. For example, they help regulate the movement of food through the gut and the flow of blood through the circulatory system.
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...
Fascicle Arrangement in Skeletal Muscles01:25

Fascicle Arrangement in Skeletal Muscles

Fascicles are bundles of muscle fibers in a skeletal muscle. Muscle fascicle arrangement is directly associated with the power and range of motion of various muscles. The configuration of these fascicles can vary, leading to different functional outcomes.
The four primary types of muscle based on fascicle arrangement are:
Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy01:26

Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy

Hypertrophy is the increase in the size of individual cells, resulting in the enlargement of a tissue or organ. Unlike hyperplasia, which involves an increase in cell number, hypertrophy is characterized by an increase in cell volume. This process often occurs in response to higher functional demand or hormonal stimulation, leading to the production of more structural proteins and organelles, thereby enhancing the cells' work capacity.There are two primary types of hypertrophy: physiological...
Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles01:13

Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles

Smooth muscle tissue is a type of muscle tissue that can be found lining various vital organs in the human body, including the lungs, blood vessels, digestive tract, and respiratory tract. This type of tissue is responsible for regulating the movements of these organs, playing crucial roles in the functioning of various systems, including the vascular, digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems.
Structure of smooth muscle cell
Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped with tapering ends and a...

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Isolation of Primary Patient-specific Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells and Semiquantitative Real-time Contraction Measurements In Vitro
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Published on: February 15, 2022

Smooth muscle phenotypic modulation--a personal experience.

Julie H Campbell1, Gordon R Campbell

  • 1Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. julie.campbell@uq.edu.au

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|July 21, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Smooth muscle cells exhibit diverse phenotypes based on functional needs, a concept established over 50 years ago. This review aims to restore historical context to smooth muscle cell biology and phenotypic modulation.

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In Vitro Model of Physiological and Pathological Blood Flow with Application to Investigations of Vascular Cell Remodeling

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are known to exist in multiple phenotypic states.
  • This plasticity is crucial for adapting to varying functional demands.
  • Recent literature often overlooks the historical understanding of SMC phenotypic modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a historical perspective on smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation.
  • To highlight the long-standing knowledge of SMC plasticity.
  • To counteract the trend of overlooking foundational research in SMC biology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review
  • Historical analysis of scientific publications
  • Synthesis of existing knowledge on SMC phenotypes.

Main Results:

  • The concept of SMC phenotypic plasticity has been recognized for over five decades.
  • Significant research exists detailing the biological changes associated with different SMC phenotypes.
  • Current research trends focusing on transcriptional regulation may neglect broader biological context.

Conclusions:

  • Restoring historical perspective is vital for a comprehensive understanding of smooth muscle cell biology.
  • Acknowledging the long history of SMC phenotypic modulation research is essential.
  • A deeper appreciation of past work can inform current and future research directions.