Smooth muscle cell phenotypes in atherosclerotic lesions

Recently, there has been a dramatic change in the way we think about the ro le of vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis, and it is now genera lly accepted that a dearth of vascular smooth muscle cells in an atheroscle rotic plaque is a detrimental feature of the disease. Indeed, it is now rec ognized that the phenotypes of vascular smooth muscle cells within a plaque dictate its features, progression and stability. Therefore an understandin g of the processes that generate and regulate vascular smooth muscle cell h eterogeneity are of critical importance for future therapeutic advancement in the treatment Of atherosclerosis. Curr Opin Lipidol 10:507-513. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.