Contractile responses reconstituted in threedimensionally cultured smooth muscle cells derived from guinea-pig basilar artery and their changes after co-culture with endothelial cells

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Pharmacology 2000, Vol.82 (suppl.1), p.99-99
• Main Authors: Tomohisa Yamada, Kazuhiko Oishi, Masaatsu K. Uchida
• Format: Article
• Language: Japanese
• ISSN: 0021-5198

We estabbshed a method of reconstituting hybrid smooth muscle (SM) fibers that retain capabilities of responding to typical contractile agonists to produce isometric contraction (Jpn. J Pharmacol., 79, 56P, 1999). This technique allows functional studies of contraction of a single cell type isolated from various smooth muscle tissues. SM cells and endothelial cells were isolated and cultured from guinea-pig basilar artery. String-shaped reconstituted SM fibers were prepared in rectangular wells by thermal gelation of a mixed solution of collagen and cultured SM in the presence and absence of endothelial cells. The fibers of SM cells alone contracted in response to KCl or contractile agonists such as norepinephrine (NE), acetylchohne, histamine, and serotonin. Phentolamine (10^-7 M) produced a parallel rightward shift of the NE doseresponse curve. These results suggest that the contractile mechanisms are maintained in the fibers. To examine the role of endothelial cells in the contractile responsiveness, the SM fibers were co-cultured with endothelial cells. Contractions induced by these stimulants were inhibited in their presence. These results suggest that endothelial cells play a role in the modulation of contractile state of vascular smooth muscle cells.