Phenotypic and functional transformation in smooth muscle cells derived from varicose veins

Varicose veins (VVs) are a common venous disorder, and the pathophysiologic mechanisms are not clearly understood. It is often thought that the smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic abnormalities in VVs determine the functional disturbance. In this study, the monolayer culture system of human vascular SMCs and varicose vascular SMCs was established based on the proliferation, migration, adhesion, senescence, skeleton, matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases secretion, and apoptosis aspects on the biological characteristics of the SMCs derived from varicose great saphenous vein. Furthermore, these properties may explain the remodeling of the venous wall and the weakening of its antipressure capacity, which may contribute to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of VVs and propose new therapeutic strategies.