A new method for isolation of smooth muscle cells from human umbilical cord arteries

A simple method is described for obtaining a large number of single smooth muscle cells by enzymatic digestion of heparin-perfused human umbilical cord arteries. The smooth muscle cell cultures exhibited the characteristic "hill and valley" growth pattern as seen by phase contrast and scanning electron microscopy. By using indirect immunofluorescence or alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase techniques the cells were identified as smooth muscle cells by the presence of alpha smooth muscle actin and vimentin. The cultures were not contaminated by endothelial cells as demonstrated by the lack of von Willebrand factor immunoreactivity. This method makes it possible to study smooth muscle cells in primary cultures.