Smooth muscle functional patterns

A number of subtle dysfunctions occur at the cellular and molecular levels in the early stages of disease progression associated with the loss of cellular homeostatic functions of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and macrophages which constitute the major cell types in the atheroma environment. These events include the modification of the pattern of gene expression, cell proliferation and apoptosis. 

The FGF family consists of 23 proteins that are classified by their expression pattern, receptor-binding preference, and protein sequence (20,21). FGF is present in the normal myocardium (22). Its expression is stimulated by hypoxia (23) and hemodynamic stress (24). FGF-2 is a pluripotent molecule and modulates numerous cellular functions for multiple cell types. In the context of angiogenesis, it induces endothelial cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation, and is also involved in cell migration of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts (21). These effects are mediated through its interaction with the tyrosine kinase receptor FGFRI which also leads to the downstream release of NO (25). Additionally, FGF-2 stimulates endothelial cells to produce a... 

On the basis of results obtained from studies in adrenal glomerulosa, vascular smooth muscle and hepatic cells, it is evident that the major effects of All on cell function are mediated via an activation of the calcium messenger system. Furthermore, the data, although far from complete, provide convincing evidence that a temporal and spatial pattern of events underlies hormonal action. 

How is the pattern of appearance of actin isoforms during smooth muscle development related to cell function ... 

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