Cyclic mechanical load and growth factors stimulate endothelial and smooth muscle cell DNA synthesis

Under nonpathologic conditions, endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) maintain a low division rate. However, when a pathologic state occurs such as in clot formation, an angioplasty-induced wound or atherosclerosis, cellular equilibrium is disturbed and cell division may be driven by both mechanical loading and activity of exogenous and endogenous growth factors. We have utilized an in vitro model of dynamic culture to test the …