Expression of c-fms on smooth muscle cells isolated from experimental arteriosclerosis

In the present study, we demonstrated gene transcription of c-fms in smooth muscle cells isolated from an experimental rabbit model of arteriosclerosis (intimal smooth muscle cells), although there was no gene transcription of c-fms detected in medial smooth muscle cells. On immunocytochemical analysis, both types of smooth muscle cells similarly reacted with an antibody specific to muscle cells (HHF 35), but did not react with an antibody specific to rabbit macrophages (RAM 11). Intimal smooth muscle cells bound to acetylated LDL and resulting foam cell formation was observed. In response to M-CSF, an increased rate of cell proliferation was observed in intimal smooth muscle cells, but not in medial smooth muscle cells. These results indicated that intimal smooth muscle cells have monocyte-macrophages characteristics such as the expression of c-fms and scavenger receptor gene.