Comparison Of Human Smc From Aorta, Art. ILIACA, Vena Cava And Fetal Umbilical Cord Vein. A Tem-, Sem-, Light Microscopic And Functional Study

Abstract

Do smooth muscle cells (SMC) from various human origin show the same behavior in cell culture? Are there differences between arterial, venous and fetal SMCs? Explant cultures were established from human adult aorta, art. iliaca comm., vena cava. SMCs from the umbilical cord vein and art.iliaca were harvested by the collagenase method. All cells were grown in M 199, 20 mM Hepes, 20% fetal calf serum, pen.-strept, 37°C, without CO2. After sufficient outgrowth the cells were subcultivated. At various subpassages the cells were processed for TEM, SEM. For TEM the ruthenium-red-method were applied. At different subpassages growth curves were established. Growth pattern was monitored by phase contrast microscopy and staining with fluorescent dyes.--Results: V.cava SMC grow out of the explant faster, however, show slower proliferation rate than the art. SMCs. V.cava and fetal SMCs do not show the striking hill-valley growth pattern as the art. SMCs do. From fetal to adult SMCs the cell- and nucleus size increases. The varying nucleus sizes were monitored by impulscytophotometry. These results are reported in another abstract. From the art.iliaca comm, growing SMCs with up to 10 nuclei were harvested. Art. SMCs secret large amount of granular material which is not seen in venous SMCs. All cells were negative for F-VIII-antigen in the immunfluorescence.Summary: Because of these marked differences between art. and venous SMCs from human origin evaluation of experiments with SMCs have to take this into consideration before drawing general conclusions on SMC-functions.