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Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: Regulation of Vasoconstriction and Vasodilation

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Fundamentals of Vascular Biology

Part of the book series: Learning Materials in Biosciences ((LMB))

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Abstract

In this chapter the diverse embryonic origin of vascular smooth muscle cell and their high degree of plasticity will be described. Emphasis will also be laid on the essential contribution of vascular smooth muscle cells to maintaining the structural integrity of blood vessels and to regulating vasodilation and vasoconstriction. In particular it will be discussed how intracellular cytosolic Ca2+ levels modulate contraction and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells and which modulators and intracellular pathways are involved in regulating these cytosolic Ca2+ levels. Finally the impact of dysfunctional vascular smooth muscle cells on the development of cardiovascular pathologies such as hypertension and atherosclerosis will be described.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Johann Wojta

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  1. Johann Wojta
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Correspondence to Johann Wojta .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria

    Margarethe Geiger

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Wojta, J. (2019). Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: Regulation of Vasoconstriction and Vasodilation. In: Geiger, M. (eds) Fundamentals of Vascular Biology. Learning Materials in Biosciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12270-6_5

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