Endothelial cells control vascular smooth muscle cell cholesterol levels by regulating 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase expression.

Communication of vascular cells is essential for the control of organotypic functions of blood vessels. In this context, vascular endothelial cells (EC) act as potent regulators of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) functions such as contraction and relaxation. However, the impact of ECs on the gene expression pattern of VSMCs is largely unknown.

Assembly of vascular smooth muscle cells in 3D aggregates provokes cellular quiescence.

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture conditions are often used to promote the differentiation of human cells as a prerequisite for the study of organotypic functions and environment-specific cellular responses. Here, we assessed the molecular and functional phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) cultured as 3D multilayered aggregates. Microarray studies revealed that these conditions decrease the expression of genes associated with cell cycle control and DNA replication and cease proliferation of VSMCs.