Numerous physiological and pathological stimuli promote the rearrangement of the actin
cytoskeleton, thereby modulating cellular motile functions. Although it seems intuitively …

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their receptors, known to be essential regulators
of embryonic patterning and organogenesis, are also critical for the regulation of …

Aims The artery contains numerous cell types which contribute to multiple vascular
diseases. However, the heterogeneity and cellular responses of these vascular cells during …

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that participate in the spatiotemporal
regulation of messenger RNA and protein synthesis. Aberrant miRNA expression leads to …

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) increase the risk of aortic dissection or rupture and
represent an important source of morbidity and mortality. Inherited forms of the disease …

Extensive studies over the last 30 years have demonstrated that vascular smooth muscle
cell (SMC) differentiation and phenotypic modulation is controlled by a dynamic array of …

The phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is dynamically regulated in
response to various stimuli. In a cellular process known as phenotype switching, VSMCs …

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling pathway is a critical regulator of animal
development and homeostasis. Activation of the PDGF pathway leads to neointimal …

In the postnatal vasculature, fully differentiated and quiescent vascular smooth muscle cells
(VSMCs) in a" contractile" phenotype are required for the normal regulation of vascular tone …

The gastrointestinal tract is enveloped by concentric and orthogonally aligned layers of
smooth muscle; however, an understanding of the mechanisms by which these muscles …