Vascular and airway smooth muscle cells (VSMC/ASMC)

Vascular and airway smooth muscle cells (VSMCs and ASMCs) are specialized contractile cells found within the walls of blood vessels and the respiratory tract, respectively. Their primary biological function is to regulate the diameter of these conduits, thereby controlling blood pressure and airflow through contraction and relaxation [1]. In pathological conditions, these cells can undergo a phenotypic switch from a contractile state to a synthetic/proliferative state, which is a hallmark of diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and asthma [2]. While the cells themselves are not single molecular targets, they express a wide array of therapeutic targets including the beta-2 adrenergic receptor, muscarinic receptors, and L-type calcium channels. Pharmacological agents targeting these cells are essential in treating cardiovascular and respiratory disorders by inducing vasodilation or bronchodilation. Understanding the signaling pathways within these cells, such as the calcium-calmodulin and cAMP/cGMP pathways, is critical for developing effective therapies [1][3]. [1] StatPearls, Physiology, Smooth Muscle (2023); [2] Nature Reviews Cardiology, Vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis (2020); [3] Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Airway smooth muscle in asthma (2019).

Other names

Smooth muscle cellsVascular smooth muscleAirway smooth muscleSMCMyocytes

Drugs modulate the tone of these cells by interacting with specific molecular targets such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) or ion channels. For instance, beta-2 adrenergic agonists increase intracellular cAMP to promote relaxation, while calcium channel blockers inhibit the influx of extracellular calcium, preventing contraction [1][3].