Major differences in gene expression in human coronary smooth muscle cells after nebivolol or metoprolol treatment.

Objective: Vascular smooth muscle cells play a pivotal role in all stages of atherogenesis. Targeting their inflammatory and proliferative qualities might therefore inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to characterize and compare the effects of the beta-receptor antagonists nebivolol and metoprolol on gene expression in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (hcaSMC).