The characterization of human uterine smooth muscle cells in culture

Primary cultures initiated from normal human uterine endometrium after total enzymatic dissociation contained epithelioid cells and smooth muscle cells. The smooth muscle cells were subsequently isolated by differential trypsinization and grown in culture for 36 +/- 4 generations. Ultrastructural examination of log and post-confluent cultures of cells at low and high population doubling levels revealed characteristics similar to those of published reports on other smooth muscle cells studied in vivo and in vitro. Among the common features present were: (a) abundant bundles of 60--70 A myofilaments; (b) branched mitochondria; (c) stacks of cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum; (d) caveolae intracellulares; (e) nexuses. Other features included ovoid nuclei, a well developed Golgi apparatus and abundant free ribosomes. The subcultured cells exhibited features of dedifferentiation in the log phase of growth and at post-confluency. However, the post-confluent cells showed characteristics indicating redifferentiation back towards their in vivo morphology. Smooth muscle cells isolated from endometrial curettings may provide a useful model for biochemical and pharmacological studies of a cell type derived from a hormonal target tissue as the cells "age" in culture.