Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells

Description

Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells (AoSMCs) are primary contractile cells isolated from the thoracic or abdominal aorta of adult rats. These spindle-shaped cells form the characteristic “hill-and-valley” pattern in culture. They express key smooth muscle markers such as SM-MHC and calponin and respond dynamically to vasoactive and mechanical stimuli. Notably, Angiotensin II can induce phenotypic switching, proliferation, and migration of rat AoSMCs under defined experimental conditions. Mechanotransduction also regulates ECM genes (e.g., COL1A1, FBN1) under cyclic stretch, highlighting their relevance in vascular remodeling studies. Each lot undergoes rigorous screening and isolation procedures and is tested to ensure it is free from contamination by Mycoplasma, Fungi, Yeast, and Bacteria.