Vascular Smooth Muscle (Arteriolar) (VSMC (Arteriolar))

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in arterioles are specialized contractile cells located primarily in the tunica media layer of small arteries and arterioles. These cells play a central role in regulating vascular tone, blood flow distribution, and arterial pressure by contracting or relaxing to alter vessel diameter. Their primary function is to modulate vasoconstriction and vasodilation, thereby controlling local blood flow and systemic arterial pressure. Dysfunction contributes to vascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Other names

Arteriolar Smooth Muscle CellsVSMCVascular Smooth Muscle Cells (Arteriolar)

Contraction: Increased intracellular Calcium (Ca2+) activates myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), which phosphorylates myosin light chains, enabling contraction. Relaxation occurs when Ca2+ levels fall or via activation of myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP).