Different Proliferative Properties of Smooth Muscle Cells of Human Arterial and Venous Bypass Vessels

Abstract

SMCs from SVs exhibit enhanced proliferation compared with IMA in spite of functional growth factor receptor expression and MAPK activation. However, PDGF increased MAPK protein level only in SV and downregulated cell cycle inhibitor (p27Kip1) more potently in SV than in IMA. This may explain the resistance to growth stimuli of IMA SMCs and may contribute to the longer patency of arterial versus venous grafts.