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Cell Biology International (1995) 19, 839–846 (Printed in Great Britain)

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Effect of extracellular matrix proteins on vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype

I.P. Hayward, K.R. Bridle, G.R. Campbell, P.A. Underwood and J.H. Campbell

Centre for Research in Vascular Biology, Department of Anatomical Sciences, University of Queensland, Qld 4072, Australia and CSIRO Division of Biomolecular Engineering, Sydney Laboratory, PO Box 184, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia.

Abstract

The effect on phenotypic expression of rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) of the interstitial matrix proteins collagen I and fibronectin, the basal lamina proteins collagen IV and laminin, and the serum adhesion protein vitronectin was examined in culture. Experiments were performed in foetal calf serum stripped of fibronectin and vitronectin to eliminate their confounding effects. All the proteins promoted adhesion to the plastic culture dish (in a concentration dependent manner) of SMC freshly isolated from the artery wall. These cells had a high volume density of myofilaments (Vvmyo) in their cytoplasm. Laminin was best at maintaining SMC with a high Vvmyo (Vvmyo = 49.8%) followed by collagen IV (41.7%). Cells plated on vitronectin showed the lowest Vvmyo (31.3%). The results support the concept that the SMC basal lamina has a role in maintaining cells in the high Vvmyo phenotype.