Flow effects on cultured vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell functions.

Cultured vascular endothelial cells were exposed to fluid shear stress by means of a rotary-disc shear-loading device, and the physiological effects of the conditioned medium (CM) and the homogenate (HM) of the cells on migration, adhesion and growth of endothelial cells (EC) or smooth muscle cells (SMC) were studied. Effects of shear stress on the production and secretion of collagen, one of the extracellular matrices of EC, were also studied. CM stimulated the adhesion and growth of SMC, but not of EC themselves. The ability to stimulate SMC adhesion and growth was similar in CM obtained from the static and shear-loaded cells. HM of the shear-loaded EC stimulated SMC migration. Further, HM of the shear-loaded EC contained increased amounts of collagen compared with the static EC. These results suggest that: 1) EC produce and secrete accelerators for the adhesion and growth of SMC, 2) EC react to the physical stimulus of fluid shear stress to produce stimulators of SMC migration, and 3) EC produce collagen, the production of which is enhanced by fluid shear stress.     

MECHANISMS OF FLUID SHEAR‐INDUCED INHIBITION OF POPULATION GROWTH IN A RED‐TIDE DINOFLAGELLATE1

Net population growth of some dinoflagellates is inhibited by fluid shear at shear stresses comparable with those generated during oceanic turbulence. Decreased net growth may occur through lowered cell division, increased mortality, or both. The dominant mechanism under various flow conditions was determined for the red‐tide dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedrum (Stein) Dodge. Cell division and mortality were determined by direct observation of isolated cells in 0.5‐mL cultures that were shaken to generate unquantified fluid shear. Larger volume cultures were exposed to quantified laminar shear in Couette‐flow chambers (0.004–0.019 N·m ^{? 2} shear stress) and to unquantified flow in shaken flasks. In these larger cultures, cell division frequency was calculated from flow cytometric measurements of DNA·cell^?1. The mechanism by which shear inhibits net growth of L. polyedrum depends on shear stress level and growth conditions. Observations on the isolated cells showed that shaking inhibited growth by lowering cell division without increased mortality. Similar results were found for early exponential‐phase cultures exposed to the lowest experimental shear stress in Couette‐flow chambers. However, mortality occurred when a late exponential‐phase culture was exposed to the same low shear stress and was inferred to occur in cultures exposed to higher shear stresses. Elevated mortality in those treatments was confirmed using behavioral, morphological, and physiological assays. The results predict that cell division in L. polyedrum populations will be inhibited by levels of oceanic turbulence common for near‐surface waters. Shear‐induced mortality is not expected unless shear‐stress levels are unusually high or when cellular condition resembles late exponential/stationary phase cultures.     

Human arterial smooth muscle cells in culture. Effects of platelet-derived growth factor and heparin on growth in vitro

Human arterial smooth muscle cells (hASMC) were cultured from explants of the inner media of uterine arteries obtained at hysterectomy. The presence of alpha-actin and smooth muscle-specific actin isoforms and the microscopic appearance of the cells in secondary culture established their smooth muscle origin. The hASMC were diploid and had no signs of transformation. Plasma-derived serum failed to stimulate their proliferation in vitro. Their rate of proliferation was, however, proportional to the concentration of whole blood serum in the medium. Anti-PDGF IgG at high concentrations inhibited the stimulatory effect of whole blood serum on cell proliferation. This suggests that hASMC depend on exogenous PDGF for their growth. In PDS or bovine serum albumin cell numbers remained constant for 7 days in culture and the thymidine index was below 1% per 24 h. When reexposed to whole blood serum these cells started to proliferate within 2 days. This indicates that hASMC when deprived of PDGF enter a quiescent state that is fully reversible upon rexposure to the mitogen. Heparin is a powerful growth inhibitor for SMC. In our system, heparin caused a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation despite optimal concentrations of whole blood serum. This inhibition was reversible upon withdrawal of heparin. At heparin concentrations which caused a half-maximal inhibition it was also competed for by increasing concentrations of whole blood serum. Quiescent hASMC expressed the PDGF receptor on their surface as judged from immunofluorescence with a monoclonal antibody. This was true irrespective of whether growth arrest was achieved by serum depletion or by the addition of heparin to serum-containing medium. Cells growing in the presence of whole blood serum did not, however, express the receptor antigen. These observations suggest that heparin may interfere with PDGF or with its binding and further processing at the level of the cell-surface receptor.     

Vascular smooth muscle cell glycocalyx influences shear stress-mediated contractile response.

This study addressed the influence of the rate of shear stress application on aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) contraction and the role of specific glycosaminoglycans in this mechanotransduction. Rat aortic SMCs were exposed to either a step increase in shear stress (0 to 25 dyn/cm(2)) or a ramp increase in shear stress (0 to 25 dyn/cm(2) over 5 min) in a parallel plate flow chamber, and cell contraction was characterized by cell area reduction. SMCs contracted at levels similar to those reported previously and equally in response to both a step and ramp increase in shear stress. When the cells were pretreated with heparinase III or chondroitinase ABC to remove the glycosaminoglycans heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate, respectively, from the glycocalyx, the contraction response to increases in shear stress was significantly inhibited. These studies indicate that specific components of the SMC glycocalyx play an important role in the mechanotransduction of shear stress into a contractile response and that the rate of application of shear stress does not affect the SMC contraction.     

Tissue stretch decreases soluble TGF-beta1 and type-1 procollagen in mouse subcutaneous connective tissue: evidence from ex vivo and in vivo models

Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) may be directly exposed to blood flow after an endothelial-denuding injury. It is not known whether direct exposure of SMC to shear stress reduces SMC turnover and contributes to the low rate of restenosis after most vascular interventions. This study examines if laminar shear stress inhibits SMC proliferation or stimulates apoptosis. Bovine aortic SMC were exposed to arterial magnitudes of laminar shear stress (11 dynes/cm(2)) for up to 24 h and compared to control SMC (0 dynes/cm(2)). SMC density was assessed by cell counting, DNA synthesis by (3)[H]-thymidine incorporation, and apoptosis by TUNEL staining. Akt, caspase, bax, and bcl-2 phosphorylation were assessed by Western blotting; caspase activity was also measured with an in vitro assay. Analysis of variance was used to compare groups. SMC exposed to laminar shear stress had a 38% decrease in cell number (n = 4, P = 0.03), 54% reduction in (3)[H]-thymidine incorporation (n = 3, P = 0.003), and 15-fold increase in TUNEL staining (n = 4, P < 0.0001). Akt phosphorylation was reduced by 67% (n = 3, P < 0.0001), whereas bax/bcl-2 phosphorylation was increased by 1.8-fold (n = 3, P = 0.01). Caspase-3 activity was increased threefold (n = 5, P = 0.03). Pretreatment of cells with ZVAD-fmk or wortmannin resulted in 42% increased cell retention (n = 3, P < 0.01) and a fourfold increase in apoptosis (n = 3, P < 0.04), respectively. Cells transduced with constitutively-active Akt had twofold decreased apoptosis (n = 3, P < 0.002). SMC exposed to laminar shear stress have decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis, mediated by the Akt pathway. These results suggest that augmentation of SMC apoptosis may be an alternative strategy to inhibit restenosis after vascular injury.     

Pattern formation of vascular smooth muscle cells subject to nonuniform fluid shear stress: mediation by gradient of cell density

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are organized in various patterns in blood vessels. Whereas straight blood vessels mainly contain circumferentially aligned SMCs, curved blood vessels are composed of axially aligned SMCs in regions with vortex blood flow. The vortex flow-dependent feature of SMC alignment suggests a role for nonuniform fluid shear stress in regulating the pattern formation of SMCs. Here, we demonstrate that, in experimental models with vascular polymer implants designed for the observation of neointima formation and SMC migration under defined fluid shear stress, nonuniform shear stress possibly plays a role in regulating the direction of SMC migration and alignment in the neointima of the vascular implant. It was found that fluid shear stress inhibited cell growth, and the presence of nonuniform shear stress influenced the distribution of total cell density and induced the formation of cell density gradients, which in turn directed SMC migration and alignment. In contrast, uniform fluid shear stress in a control model influenced neither the distribution of total cell density nor the direction of SMC migration and alignment. In both the uniform and nonuniform shear models, the gradient of total cell density was consistent with the alignment of SMCs. These observations suggest that nonuniform shear stress may regulate the pattern formation of SMCs, possibly via mediating the gradient of cell density in the neointima of vascular polymer implants.     

Smooth muscle cells contract in response to fluid flow via a Ca2+-independent signaling mechanism.

Smooth muscle cells (SMC) are exposed to fluid shear stress because of transmural (interstitial) flow across the arterial wall. This shear stress may play a role in the myogenic response and flow-mediated vasomotion. We, therefore, examined the effects of fluid flow on contraction of rat aortic SMC. SMC that had been serum-starved to induce a contractile phenotype were plated on quartz slides and exposed to controlled shear stress levels in a flow chamber. The area of the cells was quantified, and reduction in the cell area was reported as contraction. At 25 dyn/cm(2), significant area reduction was apparent 3 min after the onset of flow and exceeded 30% at 30 min. At 1 dyn/cm(2), significant contraction was not observed at 30 min. The threshold for significant shear-induced contraction appeared to be 11 dyn/cm(2). The signal transduction mechanism was studied at 25 dyn/cm(2). Intracellular calcium was imaged by using the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye fura 2-AM. There was no detectable change in intracellular calcium during 10 min of exposure to shear stress, even though the cells displayed a significant calcium response to thapsigargin, calcium ionophore, and KCl. Further studies using pathway inhibitors provided evidence that the most important signal transduction pathway mediating calcium-independent contraction in response to fluid flow is the Rho-kinase pathway, although there was a suggestion that protein kinase C plays a secondary role.     

Shear stress inhibits smooth muscle cell migration via nitric oxide-mediated downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity

Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration is a hallmark of intimal hyperplasia (IH), the progression of which is affected by hemodynamic conditions at the diseased site. The realization that SMCs are exposed to blood flow in both denuded vessels (direct blood flow) and intact vessels (interstitial blood flow) motivated this study of the effects of fluid flow shear stress (SS) on SMC migration. Rat aortic SMCs were seeded onto Matrigel-coated cell culture inserts, and their migratory activity toward PDGF-BB when exposed to SS in a rotating disk apparatus was quantified. Four hours of either 10 or 20 dyn/cm2 SS significantly inhibited SMC migration to the bottom side of the insert. This inhibition was associated with downregulation of SMC matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activation. Four hours of 10 dyn/cm2 SS also drastically increased SMC production of NO. A NO synthase inhibitor (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; 100 microM) abolished the shear-induced increase in SMC NO production as well as the inhibition of migration and MMP-2 activity. A NO donor (S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine; 500 microM) suppressed SMC migration via the reduction of both total and active MMP-2 levels. Addition of 10 microM MMP-2 inhibitor I to inserts significantly reduced SMC migration. Western blots showed no effect of 4 h of 20 dyn/cm2 SS on SMC production of PDGF-AA, another chemical known to suppress SMC migration. Thus it appears that SS acts to suppress SMC migration by upregulating the cellular production of NO, which in turn inhibits MMP-2 activity.     

Pattern formation of vascular smooth muscle cells subject to nonuniform fluid shear stress: role of PDGF-beta receptor and Src

Blood vessels are subject to fluid shear stress, a hemodynamic factor that inhibits the mitogenic activities of vascular cells. The presence of nonuniform shear stress has been shown to exert graded suppression of cell proliferation and induces the formation of cell density gradients, which in turn regulate the direction of smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and alignment. Here, we investigated the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-beta receptor and Src in the regulation of such processes. In experimental models with vascular polymer implants, SMCs migrated from the vessel media into the neointima of the implant under defined fluid shear stress. In a nonuniform shear model, blood shear stress suppressed the expression of PDGF-beta receptor and the phosphorylation of Src in a shear level-dependent manner, resulting in the formation of mitogen gradients, which were consistent with the gradient of cell density as well as the alignment of SMCs. In contrast, uniform shear stress in a control model elicited an even influence on the activity of mitogenic molecules without modulating the uniformity of cell density and did not significantly influence the direction of SMC alignment. The suppression of the PDGF-beta receptor tyrosine kinase and Src with pharmacological substances diminished the gradients of mitogens and cell density and reduced the influence of nonuniform shear stress on SMC alignment. These observations suggest that PDGF-beta receptor and Src possibly serve as mediating factors in nonuniform shear-induced formation of cell density gradients and alignment of SMCs in the neointima of vascular polymer implants.     

Perfused transcapillary smooth muscle and endothelial cell co-culture—a novelin vitro model

Summary As mostin vitro endothelial cell (EC)-vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) co-culture studies have been performed utilizing static culture conditions, none have successfully mimicked the physical environment of these cellsin vivo. EC covering the inner surface of blood vessels are continuously exposed to a hemodynamically imposed mechanical stress resulting from the flow of blood, while SMC are affected by pressure, a flow-related force acting perpendicular to the surface. We have developed a perfused transcapillary co-culture system that permits the chronic exposure of EC and SMC to physiological shear stresses and pressures. SMC and EC co-cultures were successfully established and maintained in long-term culture (7 wk) on an enclosed perfused bundle of semipermeable polypropylene capillaries. By altering flow rate and/or viscosity, shear stresses of 0.07–20 dyn/cm² can be readily achieved in this system. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that SMC formed multilayers around the outside of the capillaries, whereas EC, subjected to 3 dyn/cm² shear stress, formed an intact closely adherent monolayer lining the capillary lumen. EC and SMC exhibited characteristic ultrastructural and gross morphology. EC were separated from SMC by the capillary wall (pore size 0.5 μm, width 150 μM) and while no direct cell-cell contact was evident some cells were seen to migrate into the capillary wall. Both EC and SMC are exposed to the same culture medium, allowing the interaction of substances released in both directions. Yet separate populations of cells are maintained and can be individually harvested for further analysis. This co-culture system that mimics the architecture and physical environment of the vessel wall should have many potential applications in vascular biology.     

DNA microarray study on gene expression profiles in co-cultured endothelial and smooth muscle cells in response to 4- and 24-h shear stress

Shear stress, a major hemodynamic force acting on the vessel wall, plays an important role in physiological processes such as cell growth, differentiation, remodelling, metabolism, morphology, and gene expression. We investigated the effect of shear stress on gene expression profiles in co-cultured vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Human aortic ECs were cultured as a confluent monolayer on top of confluent human aortic SMCs, and the EC side of the co-culture was exposed to a laminar shear stress of 12 dyn/cm² for 4 or 24 h. After shearing, the ECs and SMCs were separated and RNA was extracted from the cells. The RNA samples were labelled and hybridized with cDNA array slides that contained 8694 genes. Statistical analysis showed that shear stress caused the differential expression (p ≤ 0.05) of a total of 1151 genes in ECs and SMCs. In the co-cultured ECs, shear stress caused the up-regulation of 403 genes and down-regulation of 470. In the co-cultured SMCs, shear stress caused the up-regulation of 152 genes and down-regulation of 126 genes. These results provide new information on the gene expression profile and its potential functional consequences in co-cultured ECs and SMCs exposed to a physiological level of laminar shear stress. Although the effects of shear stress on gene expression in monocultured and co-cultured EC are generally similar, the response of some genes to shear stress is opposite between these two types of culture (e.g., ICAM-1 is up-regulated in monoculture and down-regulated in co-culture), which strongly indicates that EC–SMC interactions affect EC responses to shear stress.     

Fluid shear stress-induced alignment of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

The study objectives were to quantify the time- and magnitude-dependence of flow-induced alignment in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) and to identify pathways related to the orientation process. Using an intensity gradient method, we demonstrated that SMC aligned in the direction perpendicular to applied shear stress, which contrasts with parallel alignment of endothelial cells under flow SMC alignment varied with the magnitude of and exposure time to shear stress and is a continuous process that is dependent on calcium and cycloskeleton based mechanisms. A clear understanding and control of flow-induced SMC alignment will have implications for vascular tissue engineering.     

A model for studying the effect of shear stress on interactions between vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are constantly subjected to blood flow-induced shear stress and the influences of neighboring smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In the present study, a coculture flow system was developed to study the effect of shear stress on EC-SMC interactions. ECs and SMCs were separated by a porous membrane with only the EC side subjected to the flow condition. When ECs were exposed to a shear stress of 12 dynes/cm2 for 24 h, the cocultured SMCs tended to orient perpendicularly to the flow direction. This perpendicular orientation of the cocultured SMCs to flow direction was not observed when ECs were exposed to a shear stress of 2 dynes/cm2. Under the static condition, long and parallel actin bundles were observed in the central regions of the cocultured SMCs, whereas the actin filaments localized mainly at the periphery of the cocultured ECs. After 24 h of flow application, the cocultured ECs displayed very long, well-organized, parallel actin stress fibers aligned with the flow direction in the central regions of the cells. Immunostaining of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 confirmed the elongation and alignment of the cocultured ECs with the flow direction. Coculture with SMCs under static condition induced EC gene expressions of growth-related oncogene-alpha and monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and shear stress was found to abolish these SMC-induced gene expressions. Our results suggest that shear stress may serve as a down-regulator for the pathophysiologically relevant gene expression in ECs cocultured with SMCs.     

大鼠高血压相关基因表达蛋白抑制血管平滑肌细胞增殖

大鼠高血压相关基因 ( r HRG- 1 )编码一新细胞内信号传递蛋白 .体外转染 r HRG- 1表达蛋白发现 r HRG- 1表达蛋白能抑制自发性高血压大鼠血管平滑肌细胞内 Raf蛋白 ( Raf- 1 )和丝裂素活化蛋白激酶 ( MAPK)活性 ,抑制抗细胞凋亡基因 ( bcl- 2 )和增殖细胞核抗原 ( PCNA)基因 m RNA表达 ,同时还抑制该细胞 DNA的合成 .r HRG- 1是一正常血压大鼠血管平滑肌细胞内高度表达的基因 ,由此推测在自发性高血压大鼠血管平滑肌细胞内转染 r HRG- 1表达蛋白抑制其细胞 DNA合成的作用可能是抑制细胞内 Raf- 1活性与 MAPK活性及抑制 PCNA和 bcl- 2基因表达的结果     

Shear Stress Modulation of Smooth Muscle Cell Marker Genes in 2-D and 3-D Depends on Mechanotransduction by Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans and ERK1/2

Background

During vascular injury, vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and fibroblasts/myofibroblasts (FBs/MFBs) are exposed to altered luminal blood flow or transmural interstitial flow. We investigate the effects of these two types of fluid flows on the phenotypes of SMCs and MFBs and the underlying mechanotransduction mechanisms.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Exposure to 8 dyn/cm² laminar flow shear stress (2-dimensional, 2-D) for 15 h significantly reduced expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), smooth muscle protein 22 (SM22), SM myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC), smoothelin, and calponin. Cells suspended in collagen gels were exposed to interstitial flow (1 cmH₂O, ∼0.05 dyn/cm², 3-D), and after 6 h of exposure, expression of SM-MHC, smoothelin, and calponin were significantly reduced, while expression of α-SMA and SM22 were markedly enhanced. PD98059 (an ERK1/2 inhibitor) and heparinase III (an enzyme to cleave heparan sulfate) significantly blocked the effects of laminar flow on gene expression, and also reversed the effects of interstitial flow on SM-MHC, smoothelin, and calponin, but enhanced interstitial flow-induced expression of α-SMA and SM22. SMCs and MFBs have similar responses to fluid flow. Silencing ERK1/2 completely blocked the effects of both laminar flow and interstitial flow on SMC marker gene expression. Western blotting showed that both types of flows induced ERK1/2 activation that was inhibited by disruption of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs).

Conclusions/Significance

The results suggest that HSPG-mediated ERK1/2 activation is an important mechanotransduction pathway modulating SMC marker gene expression when SMCs and MFBs are exposed to flow. Fluid flow may be involved in vascular remodeling and lesion formation by affecting phenotypes of vascular wall cells. This study has implications in understanding the flow-related mechanobiology in vascular lesion formation, tumor cell invasion, and stem cell differentiation.     

Cell cycle versus density dependence of smooth muscle alpha actin expression in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells

Cultured smooth muscle cells (SMC) undergo induction of smooth muscle (SM) alpha actin at confluency. Since confluent cells exhibit contact inhibition of growth, this finding suggests that induction of SM alpha actin may be associated with cell cycle withdrawal. This issue was further examined in the present study using fluorescence-activated cell sorting of SMC undergoing induction at confluency and by examination of the effects of FBS and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on SM alpha actin expression in postconfluent SMC cultures that had already undergone induction. Cell sorting was based on DNA content or differential incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (Budr). The fractional synthesis of SM alpha actin in confluent cells was increased two- to threefold compared with subconfluent log phase cells, but no differences were observed between confluent cycling (Budr+) and noncycling (Budr-) cells. In cultures not exposed to Budr, confluent cycling S + G2 cells exhibited similar induction. These data indicate that cell cycle withdrawal is not a prerequisite for the induction of SM alpha actin synthesis in SMC at confluency. Growth stimulation of postconfluent cultures with either FBS or PDGF resulted in marked repression of SM alpha actin synthesis but the level of repression was not directly related to entry into S phase in that PDGF was a more potent repressor of SM alpha actin synthesis than was FBS despite a lesser mitogenic effect. This differential effect of FBS versus PDGF did not appear to be due to transforming growth factor-beta present in FBS since addition of transforming growth factor-beta had no effect on PDGF-induced repression. Likewise, FBS (0.1-10.0%) failed to inhibit PDGF-induced repression. Taken together these data demonstrate that factors other than replicative frequency govern differentiation of cultured SMC and suggest that an important function of potent growth factors such as PDGF may be the repression of muscle-specific characteristics.     

ω-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit migration of human vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro

Arterial smooth muscle cell migration from the media to the intima is a crucial process in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been proposed to play a key role in the development of advanced atherosclerotic lesions by stimulating the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the ω-3 series, extracted from fish oil has been shown to have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of ω-3 PUFA on the migration of human aortic smooth muscle cell (hASMC) in vitro. The migration assay was performed according to the Capsoni's method using transwell culture plates. PDGF, fibrinogen or 10%FCS significantly stimulated hASMC migration, however, ω-3 PUFA significantly inhibited PDGF-induced migration of hASMC. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of ω-3 PUFA on cell migration may be an important aspect by which ω-3 PUFA exerts its antiatherosclerotic influence.     

Modulation of types I and III procollagen synthesis at various stages of arterial smooth muscle cell growth in vitro

Collagen synthesis was monitored in cultures of rabbit arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC). Both the rate of collagen synthesis per cell and collagen synthesis as a percent of total protein synthesis were measured at specific intervals from 1 to 14 days after inoculation of smooth muscle cells. The proportions of types I and III collagen present in the conditioned incubation medium and in the cell layer were also examined. After inoculation the cells displayed population expansion typical of SMC in which growth slowed but did not cease after the cells attained confluence. Collagen synthesis rates, expressed as [14C]hydroxyproline per cell, were eight-fold higher in preconfluent cells. In these cultures collagen accounted for more than 20% of the newly synthesized, 14C-labeled protein present as trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-insoluble material in 24 h culture media. In post-confluent cultures, this percentage was reduced to about 7% of the total protein synthesized. Synthesis rates of both collagen and non-collagen protein decreased with increasing time after inoculation. However, the rate of decline of collagen synthesis was three times greater than that seen for non-collagen protein. Early cultures synthesized relatively more type I than type III procollagen. The type I to type III ratio was highest at day 3 and declined after that time to day 14. While the synthesis of both types decreased with increasing age, type I declined at a greater rate resulting in a predominance of type III procollagen secretion by older cultures. We conclude that protein synthesis in general and collagen synthesis in particular are quantitatively and qualitatively dependent upon the growth stage of SMC in vitro.