Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the predominant cell type in the blood vessel wall and normally adopt a quiescent, contractile phenotype. VSMC migration is tightly controlled, however, disease associated changes in the soluble and insoluble environment promote VSMC migration. Classically, studies investigating VSMC migration have described the influence of soluble factors. Emerging data has highlighted the importance of insoluble factors, including extracellular matrix stiffness and porosity. In this review, we will recap on the important signalling pathways that regulate VSMC migration and reflect on the potential importance of emerging regulators of VSMC function.
Highlights
Cell migration begins at the earliest stages of life and it continuous as a fundamental process for survival (VicenteManzanares et al 2005)
vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) migration occurs during several important physiological and pathological processes ranging from early remodelling, response to injury, vascular disease (Tahir et al 2015; Cai et al 2015)
VSMC migration is activated in response to multiple environmental cues including chemotactic, haptotatic and durotactic signals (Isenberg et al 2009; Hartman et al 2016; Kerr et al 2013)
Summary
Cell migration begins at the earliest stages of life and it continuous as a fundamental process for survival (VicenteManzanares et al 2005). Smooth muscle cells are found in the hollow organs of the vascular, reproductive, urinary and digestive systems. VSMC migration occurs during several important physiological and pathological processes ranging from early remodelling, response to injury, vascular disease (Tahir et al 2015; Cai et al 2015). Promigratory stimuli activate signal transduction cascades that trigger remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton and cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesions that increase the migration capacity of VSMCs (Gerthoffer 2007). Directional cell migration is often influenced by the two-dimensional and three-dimensional organization of the ECM. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility (2019) 40:185–196 important signalling pathways and critical regulators of aortic VSMC migration
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