Smooth muscle cells (SMC) are primary contributors to the development of arterial disease. The ability of vascular SMC to switch to a proliferative phenotype is one of the main factors in the development and progression of vascular disease. Recent studies have demonstrated that SMC express calcium channels, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. The expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on SMC may contribute to the inflammatory reaction in the vascular wall and may actively be involved in the progression of vascular disease. Vascular SMC in culture play an important role in vascular disease research and can be used to identify new therapeutic targets to treat arterial disease. HASMC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human aorta. HASMC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 105 cells in 1 ml volume. HASMC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies to specific to α-smooth muscle actin. HASMC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. HASMC are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings under the conditions specified by ScienCell Research Laboratories. Recommended Medium It is recommended to use Smooth Muscle Cell Medium (SMCM, Cat. #1101) for culturing HASMC in vitro.